Thomas Liby's Genealogical Tour of Medford Neher's Murals Depicting the History of the Church of the Brethren, with Margie Petry's Addition, Located in the Quinter-Miller Auditorium at Camp Alexander Mack near Milford Indiana

^*[Q: What do you do? A: I do genealogy.]

The Camp Mack Murals

• Panel 1 1708 - Church of the Brethren in Germany - 1719 - 1729
• Panel 2 1719 - The Church in Colonial America - 1728
• Panel 3 1723 - First Organized Missionary Work in America - 1728
• Panel 4 1729   1735  1738 1742 1760 1774
• Panel 5 1775 - The Church Spreads South and West - 1810
• Panel 6 1811 - 'Western Brethren' United with Eastern Brethren - 1850
• Panel 7 1851 - The Awakening of the Church - 1876
• Panel 8 1877 - World Outlook - Revival Meetings - World Missions - 1894
• Panel 9 1895 - The Local Congregation is at the Heart of the Church - 1908
• Panel 10 1909 - Better Organization - Confusion - Reconsecration and Revival - 1923
• Panel 11 1924 - Youth Emphases - Confusion - Enter the Atomic Age - 1948
• Panel 12 1949 - Church of the Brethren in the Atomic Age - 2008
• Panel 13 Margie Petry's addition

The murals are located at Camp Mack on Lake Waubee near Milford, Indiana. They represent the first and only history of a denomination depicted in this art form. This web page attempts to add biographical and genealogical information to the historical figures identified in these murals and some written historical material for contextual perspective.

The artist who painted the murals is Medford D. Neher, born 25 July 1892 near Flora in Carroll County Indiana, to George W. Neher and Priscilla Cripe Neher. He attended Manchester College (in North Manchester Indiana) and Bethany Biblical Seminary (then located in Chicago Illinois). Medford married Ada Shank on September 3, 1919. He studied art at Manchester College, under Sadie Stutsman Wampler (whom he painted into panel 10), and at the Art Institute of Chicago, and with painters in Cleveland (cf. Willard in panel 3) and Akron Ohio. He started in the ministry in 1914 and was ordained in 1928. He served at the Eastwood Church in Akron Ohio from 1927 to 1933, at the Defiance (Ohio) First Church of the Brethren from 1943 to 1944, and at the North Poplar Ridge Church (north east of Defiance) in Ohio from 1945 to 1950, and then at Peoria Illinois from 1950 to 1953, at Michigan City Indiana from 1953 to 1954, at Springfield Illinois from 1954 to 1957, and Pompano Beach Florida from 1958 to 1961, and back to Popular Ridge in Ohio from 1966 to 1968. Medford Neher painted the murals as a project for Camp Mack between 1944 and 1949 while pastoring in Ohio.

A theme throughout the panels shows white wings at the top. Depending upon the time period, the wings vary from bright white to dark cloud or smoke covered. There is much symbolism thoughout the murals. See L. W. Schultz's commentary in the mural booklet.

The best published work on the murals is "A Mural History of the Church of the Brethren" containing discriptions and pictures of the twelve murals and considerable related information (pictures and maps of Schwarzenau and Camp Mack, lists of editors and missionaries, suggestions for further study, and a bibliography). The thirty-two page booklet with pictures of the murals by Medford Neher and the text by Lawrence W. Shultz was printed in 1953 and reprinted in 1976. The booklet is available from the Gift Shop located in the basement of Becker Lodge at Camp Mack. It may be ordered by sending payment (plus costs for postage and handling) and any extra donations to Camp Mack.

Camp Alexander Mack Inc
Camp Office P O Box 158
Milford IN 46542-0158

Photographs of the first four murals are also online by the Brethren Church at http://archives.ashland.edu/BrethrenChurchHistory/BrethrenChurchmurals.htm.

The list of individuals for each panel are linked to additional biographical and genealogical information for that person. Links for individuals in the text are directed to the index reference to show if they appear elsewhere in the murals.

Appearing at the at the bottom of this webpage, The name index of those represented in the murals consists of a combined index and a panel index. Names listed in the index are clickable to where they appear in the text for each panel.

Panel 1

The Church of the Brethren Begins in Germany 1708-1729

The first panel
left to right:
1. head bandaged,
2. Phillip Jacob Spener,
3. Ernest Christoph Hochmann von Hochenau,
4. resister to change,
5. resister to change,
6. Johanna Boni,
7. Andreas Boni,
8. Anna Margaretha Mack,
9. Alexander Mack,
10. Johannes Kipping,
11. Johanna Kipping,
12. Lucas Vetter,
13. George Grebi,
14. state ruler,
15. church authority,
16. group of eight at Eder River, (Andreas Boni?, Johanna Boni, Anna Margaret Mack, Johanna Kipping, Johannes Kipping, Alexander Mack, Lucas Vetter?, George Grebi, being baptized)
17. image of judge in dark cloud representing persecution,
18. group and Mack's family at Rotterdam (group, Alexander Mack, Alexander Mack Jr, son John Mack, ).

historical context
The three churches permitted in Germany at the time were Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Reformed.
"Count well the cost" of being anabaptist.
The first panel shows Alexander Mack in the center.
The eight original members were Andreas Boni, , Lucas Vetter, Johannes Kipping, Johanna Kipping, Alexander and Anna Margaret Mack (died 1720), Johanna Noethiger Boni.

The middle section portrays Anna Margaretha Mack with her arms outstretched around the kneeling group around the bible awaiting baptism while a baptized Alexander Mack baptizes George Grebi in the Eder River at Schwarzenau Germany.

The third section represents Alexander Mack awaiting to board the Ship Allen docked at Rotterdam to follow a ship (shown on the horizon) of Brethren, led by Peter Becker, who left for America ten years before.

Panel 2

The Church of the Brethren Begins in America 1719-1723

The second panel
left to right:
seventeen original members:
1. Johann Heinrich Traut.
2. Jeremias Traut.
3. Balser Traut.
4. Heinrich Holzappel.
5. Johannes Gumre (Gomorry).
6. Stephen Koch.
7. Jacob Koch.
8. Johannes Hildebrand.
9. Daniel Ritter.
10. George Balser Gans.
11. Johannes Preisz.
12. Johannes Kempfer.
13. Magdelena Traut.
14. Anna Gumre.
15. Maria Hildebrand.
16. Johanna Gans.
17. Peter Becker.
twenty-three: 17 original plus six baptized on Christmas Day 1723:
18. Henry Landis.
19. Mrs. Landis.
20. Frederick Lang.
21. John Mayle.
22. Catherine Urner, five sitting,
23. Martin Urner, standing,

historical context
The second panel has Peter Becker as the key figure. The four sections of this panel show the landing at Philadelphia in 1719, the organization of the first congregation, the first baptism, and the first love feast in America on 25 December 1723.

individuals Peter Becker, weaver, and his wife, Anna Dorothy, and nineteen other families, John Henry Traut,

Panel 3

The Church Becomes Missionary 1723

The third panel
left to right:
1. walker.
2. rider.
3. rider.
4. walker.
5. rider.
6. walker.
7. rider.
8. rider.
9. walker.
10. rider.
11. rider.
12. walker.
13. Peter Becker.
14. walker.
15. exhorter.
16. baptizer.
17. baptizee.
18. bowed.
19. consecrated.
20. footwasher.
21. consecrator.
22. footwasher.
23. consecrated.
24. consecrator.
25. footwasher.
26. consecrated.
27. consecrator,

historical context
From Peter Becker's, down Carpenter's Lane a mile and a half to Wissahickon Creek. six baptized in Wissahickon Creek, Christmas Day 1723, after which there were 23 members in America. coming from Martin and Catherine Urner from Henry Landes and wife from Schuylkill and John Mayle... fifteen other members from Germantown, ... after baptism, to John Gomorry's house for love feast and communion.

Fourteen men left Oct 23, seven on horseback, seven walking whose families did not have horses, Peter Becker, Gomorry, first missionary journey of the Brethren, Indian trail north to first visit at John Jacob Price on Indian Creek where they preached to the community, then to Falckner's Swamp for communion service, then Oley, then Coventry, where second church in America organized.

The artist paints the people in this view/scene/panel with considerable symbolism. See L. W. Schultz's text in the booklet, "A Mural History of the Church of the Brethren" for more details. One is the poses for the first three leading the group on the left side of the panel. Compare Willard's "Spirit of 76".

Panel 4

From the Coming of Mack to the Saurs 1729-1774

The fourth panel
left to right:
1. Alexander Mack Jr.
2. Alexander Mack.
3. thirty families, 126 people, from ship Allen,
4. Peter Becker.
5. group.
6. griever.
7. sunday school.
8. Peter Becker.
9. Seventh Day Society of Ephrata.
10. Christopher Saur.
11. Martin Urner Jr.
12. Christopher Saur Jr.
13. Alexander Mack Jr,

historical context
Alexander Mack leads thirty families, 126 people, from the Ship Allen landed at Philadelphia, to America.

Christopher Saur the Elder (1693-1758), born at Laasphe, near Schwarzenau, born into a Reformed Lutheran home. In 1724, he followed the Brethren to America to Germantown and lived in Lancaster County Pennsylvania from 1726 to 1731. Martin Urner Sr. (1695-1755) Christopher Saur Jr. (1721-1784) was able to led in founding an academy at Germantown in 1760. Christopher Saur Jr., through his devotion, was able "restore his mother to the family circle in 1744" (1774 at top of previous column on page 13 of the mural booklet).

Alexander Mack Jr. (1712-1803), eldest of three sons, whose mother died in 1720, going with his father to Westervain and then to Germantown in 1729. He deeply grieved his father's death in 1735 and in 1738 joined the Ephrata Cloister. Ten years later, he had become disenchanted and returned to the church, was reinstated and with Christopher Saur Jr. became a minister and later elder.

Panel 5

Persecution and the Westward Movement 1774-1810

The fifth panel
left to right:
1. British soldier,
2. Christopher Saur Jr..
3. American soldier,
4. Peter Keyser.
5. Conestoga wagons.
6. John Garber.
7. flat boat.
8. Elder George Hoke,

historical context
Christopher Sauer Jr., between a British soldier and an American soldier, represents the Brethren caught between the two sides in the conflict between the British government and the American colonists. Peter Keyser, John Garber, and Elder George Hoke are the other three key figures in this panel. This panel

Panel 6

From George Wolfe to John Kline 1811-1850

The sixth panel
left to right:
1. George Wolfe Jr..
2. farmer preacher.
3. Adam Paine.
4. Jacob Leatherman.
5. annual meeting.
6. Sarah Major.
7. Thomas Major.
8. Nell.
9. John Kline,

historical context
Elder George Wolfe Jr. was a circuit rider for the Far Western Brethren in Illinois.
The free ministry is represented by the farmer preacher.
Adam Paine preached to the Indians in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin and later in the village of Chicago.
Elder Jacob Leatherman was known as the walking preacher. During his preaching ministry of over fifty years, it is estimated that he had walked twenty thousand miles from his home in Maryland.
annual meeting
Sarah Major was the first woman preacher in the German Baptist Brethren Church (Church of the Brethren).
Thomas Major, her husband, accompanied her where she went to speak and would usually open the meetings.
Nell was the name of John Kline's horse.
John Kline rode Old Nell an estimated 30,000 miles of a total of 100,000 miles from 1835 to 1864 during his ministry. The bushwackers who killed him can be seen in the background.

Panel 7

The Awakening of the Church 1851-1876

The seventh panel
left to right:
1. Henry Kurtz.
2. John Kline.
3. S. Z. Sharp.
4. Nell.
5. Daniel Leedy.
6. James Quinter.
7. satan.
8. J. G. Royer.
9. Christian Hope.
10. Lewis Kimmel.
11. Jacob M. Zuck.
12. H. B. Brumbaugh.
13. James Quinter.
14. C. C. Ellis.
15. M. G. Brumbaugh.
16. Rufus D. Bowman.
17. Calvert N. Ellis,

historical context
Henry Kurtz John Kline S. Z. Sharp, Old Nell, Daniel Leedy, James Quinter, satan, J. G. Royer, Christian Hope, Lewis Kimmel Jacob M. Zuck H. B. Brumbaugh, James Quinter, C. C. Ellis, M. G. Brumbaugh, Rufus D. Bowman, Calvert N. Ellis.

Panel 8

A World Outlook -- Evangelism and Missions 1877-1894

The eighth panel
left to right:
1. M. S. Newcomer.
2. D. L. Miller.
3. J. G. Royer.
4. S. Z. Sharp.
5. J. H. Moore.
6. D. C. Flory.
7. W. B. Yount.
8. Paul H. Bowman.
9. Peter Nead.
10. Daniel P. Saylor.
11. Henry R. Holsinger.
12. I. J. Rosenberger.
13. Enoch Eby.
14. J. D. Trostle.
15. B. B. Whitmer.
16. S. Z. Sharp.
17. Edward Frantz.
18. I. N. H. Beahm.
19. D. N. Eller.
20. R. H. Miller Sr..
21. Robert Henry Miller.
22. David Kuns.
23. W. I. T. Hoover.
24. C. Ernest Davis.
25. Wilbur B. Stover.
26. P. G. Bhagat.

historical context
The eighth panel shows a line of men, twenty-six identified in all, representing education, revivals and evangelism, the division of the church, and missions. M. S. Newcomer, D. L. Miller, J. G. Royer connected with Mount Morris College; S. Z. Sharp with Ashland College, J. H. Moore holding a paper representing the first Sunday School publication, D.C. Flory, W. B. Yount, Paul H. Bowman, associated with Bridgewater. The church splits are shown by the three figures of Peter Nead (1796-1877) whose death actually preceded the splits, leader of the Old Order group, Daniel P. Saylor (1811-1885), leader of the Conservative group, and Henry R. Holsinger, leader of the Progressive group. I. J. Rosenberger an Ohio evangelist holding a revival at the Flora Indiana congregation. Enoch Eby, J. D. Trostle, and B. B. Whitmer constituted the Board of Visitors, the first general committee on higher education for McPherson College, represented by three of its presidents: S. Z. Sharp (1835-1931), Edward Frantz (1868- ), and D. W. Kurtz (1879-1949). I. N. H. Beahm (1859-1950) and D. N. Eller were presidents of Daleville College which existed until 1925 when it merged with Bridgewater College. R. H. Miller Sr. (1825-1892), shown with a long white beard, Robert Henry Miller, editor author, and preacher. David Kuns, a founder of LaVerne College in 1891, and Wm. I. T. Hoover and C. Ernest Davis (1893- ), presidents, are shown. The last two figures in the panel are Wilbur B. Stover (1866-1930) and P. G. Bhagat, who represent the mission to India.

This panel

Panel 9

Colleges, Publications, Seminary, China 1895-1908

The ninth panel
left to right:
1. E. S. Young.
2. Otho Winger.
3. V. F. Schwalm.
4. I. D. Parker.
5. L. D. Ikenberry.
6. G. N. Falkenstein.
7. H. K. Ober.
8. A. C. Baugher.
9. Daniel Vaniman.
10. H. C. Early.
11. Galen B. Royer.
12. D. L. Miller.
13. L. W. Teeter.
14. J. H. Moore.
15. J. E. Miller.
16. Charles D. Bonsack.
17. D. W. Bittinger.
18. Leland S. Brubaker.
19. Moyne Landis.
20. M. J. Brougher.
21. E. B. Hoff.
22. A. C. Wieand.
23. Rufus Bowman.
24. Floyd E. Mallott.
25. William Beahm.
26. W. W. Slabaugh.
27. S. F. Sanger.
28. A. B. Peters.
29. F. H. Crumpacker.
30. Pastor Yin.
31. Moy Gwong,

historical context
E. S. Young, president of Manchester College (1895-1899); Otho Winger, president of Manchester College (1911-1941) and General Education Board member (1911-1941); V. F. Schwalm, president of Manchester College (1941-1956) and General Education Board member; I. D. Parker, fundraiser for Manchester College (1902-1904) to get it out of debt; L. D. Ikenberry, math and science teacher and Manchester College treasurer (1900-1943); G. N. Falkenstein, Elizabethtown College planner, board of trustees member, principal (1900-1902); H. K. Ober, Elizabethtown College teacher (1902-1939) and President (1918-1921 and 1925-1927); A. C. Baugher, Elizabethtown College president 1941-1961); Daniel Vaniman, McPherson College board of trustees member (1889-1903); H. C. Early, drafted report proposing the General Education Board (1908); Galen B. Royer, edited Gospel Messenger missions section (1894-1912) and Juniata College teacher (1918-1924); D. L. Miller, Mt. Morris College president (1881-1883), board of trustees president (1893-1913) and trustee member (1893-1921), Gospel Messenger office editor (1885-1891) and editor-in-chief (1891-1921); L. W. Teeter, prepared Brethren Sunday School Quarterly (1896-1901) and Manchester College board of trustees member (1905-1925); J. H. Moore, Gospel Messenger editor (1883-1884 and 1891-1915) J. E. Miller, Mt. Morris College teacher (1894-1900) and president (1904-1915) and General Sunday School Board secretary and editor; Charles D. Bonsack, D. W. Bittinger, Leland S. Brubaker, Moyne Landis, M. J. Brougher, E. B. Hoff, A. C. Wieand, Rufus Bowman, Floyd E. Mallott, William Beahm, W. W. Slabaugh, S. F. Sanger, A. B. Peters, F. H. Crumpacker, The last two figures in the panel are Pastor Yin, and Moy Gwong, who represent the mission to China.

Panel 10

Church Boards, World War I, Africa 1909-1922

The tenth panel
left to right:
1. A. C. Wieand.
2. L. T. Holsinger.
3. J. D. Bright.
4. H. C. Early.
5. S. G. Lehmer.
6. W. B. Yount.
7. Edward Frantz.
8. James M. Mohler.
9. D. H. Zigler.
10. H. K. Ober.
11. Levi Minnich.
12. Lafayette Steele.
13. Mrs. Peter Fahrney.
14. Mrs. George Sappington.
15. Mrs. H. B. Brumbaugh.
16. Mrs. R. L. Rhinehart.
17. Sadie Stutsman Wampler.
18. William Beery.
19. J. H. Moore.
20. Isaac W. Taylor.
21. H. C. Early.
22. Otho Winger.
23. John W. Lear.
24. H. Stover Kulp.
25. Bassy Minso.
26. young child.
27. older child,

historical context
The group of seven men facing each other in a circle are the original members of the General Education Board in 1908. They are A. C. Wieand (Illinois), L. T. Holsinger (Indiana), J. D. Bright (Ohio), H. C. Early (Virginia), S. G. Lehmer (California), W. B. Yount (Virginia), and Edward Frantz (Kansas).

The General Sunday School Board was organized in 1911 with James M. Mohler (Missouri), D. H. Zigler (Virginia), H. K. Ober (Pennsylvania), Levi Minnich (Ohio), and Lafayette Steele (Indiana), being appointed. The name was changed to Board of Christian Education, and in 1946 to the Christian Education Commission.

The Sisters Aid Society (also known later as the Ladies Aid), are represented by Mrs. Peter Fahrney, Mrs. George Sappington, Mrs. H. B. Brumbaugh, and Mrs. R. L. Rhinehart.

The wave symbolizes the effect of World War I on the church.

The significant figures of the 1919 Annual Conference at Winona Lake Indiana arc over the Billy Sunday Tabernacle where the conference was held. Sadie Stutsman Wampler to the left of the building directed singing at the conference. Also, William Beery, J. H. Moore, with an issue of the Gospel Messenger under his arm, Isaac W. Taylor, H. C. Early, Otho Winger, and John W. Lear are shown. Above them, a line in silouette represents 32 missionaries who were appointed in 1919 to the mission field. H. Stover Kulp was a pioneer missionary to Africa. Bassy Minso and two children represent the church in Africa.

Panel 11

The Youth Movement, World War II, Brethren Service 1919-1948

The eleventh panel
left to right:
1. Edgar Rothrock.
2. L. W. Shultz.
3. H. B. Speicher.
4. C. S. Ikenberry.
5. Dan West.
6. Alvin F. Brightbill.
7. M. R. Zigler.
8. Dan West.
9. General Brotherhood Board

historical context
The larger wave symbolizes the effect of World War II on the church.

Edgar Rothrock L. W. Shultz Camp director for Camp Alexander Mack, librarian, historian, H. B. Speicher, C. S. Ikenberry, Dan West, Alvin F. Brightbill music director, teacher at the seminary M. R. Zigler, Dan West, General Brotherhood Board.

Panel 12

The Church of the Brethren in an Atomic Age 1949-2008

The twelfth panel
left to right:
1. husband.
2. wife.
3. daughter.
4. woman.
_.
_.
_.
_.
_.
_.
_.
Christ.
_.
_.
_.
_.
_.
_.
_.
_.
_.
man.
Satan.
old wife.
old husband

historical context
husband wife woman Christ man Satan old wife old husband

Panel 13

The thirteenth panel
left to right:
The thirteenth panel is a collage of various church personalities and programs
1. _.
2. _.
3. _.
4. _.
5. _.
6. _.
7. _.
8. _.
9. _.
10. _.
11. _.
12. _.
13. _.
14. _.
15. _.


historical context
This panel

FOOTNOTES

INDEX

COMBINED INDEX

PANEL INDEX

panel 1

panel 2     "23 people"

panel 3     " people"

panel 4     " people"

panel 5     " people"

panel 6     " people"

panel 7     " people"

panel 8     "26 people"

panel 9     "31 people"

panel 10     " people"

panel 11     " people"

panel 12     " people"

panel 13     " people"

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Version 1.5   Revised Friday 20 June 2008 © 2006 - 2008