Chapter VIII

THOSE GIVEN TO GENERAL INTERESTS

Dr. G. A. Funkhouser—Dr. H. F. Shupe—Dr. W. R. Funk—Dr. S. S. Hough

DR. G. A. FUNKHOUSER

George A. Funkhouser was born near Mount Jackson, Virginia, June 7, 1841, and died at Dayton, Ohio, July 30, 1927. His parents were Andrew and Elizabeth Rinker Funkhouser. He spent his early years on the farm of his parents, situated near the Massanutten Mountain in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. His child life was that of the normal boy, doing what he could in summer on the farm and going to school in the winter months. In the fall of 1860, he entered the preparatory department of Otterbein University, now Otterbein College. On the fourth of August, he, with several other students, discussed the war and then signed up with Company A, of the 95th Ohio Volunteer Regiment, notwithstanding that several of his brothers were in the Southern Army. He was wounded in the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, and with several thousand others was taken prisoner. He was paroled and after his exchange, returned to the front and served under General Grant until the close of the war. It is said that his tent was called "The Religious Squad," and that he and his tent-mates were kept free from the all too common vices of army life.

After the war Mr. Funkhouser returned to college where he ranked among the highest in character, studies, and religious devotion. He graduated in June, 1868, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and later received the degree of Master of Arts. Otterbein College later conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity, and a little later Lebanon Valley College that of Doctor of Laws.

After his graduation from college he entered Western Theological Seminary, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1871. While a student in the Seminary he served Greensburg Church during 1870-1871. The General Conference of 1869 ordered the establishment of a theological institution and Union Biblical Seminary, now Bonebrake Seminary, was the result. A faculty of two men was selected, Dr. Lewis Davis, many years president of Otterbein College, and G. A. Funkhouser, who became professor of New Testa-

ment Greek and Homiletics. The executive committee added Dr. J. P. Landis, then pastor of Summit Street Church, as an assistant, and he later became a member of the faculty and served with Dr. Funkhouser almost continuously until death intervened. The catalogs of the Seminary show that in 1912, Doctor Funkhouser was made Professor Emeritus and Lecturer Extraordinary. He was later given charge of the Seminary Extension Work. To this task he gave himself with his usual faithfulness and zeal until about 1921 or 1922. He performed the work usually falling to the president from 1886, when Doctor Davis, because of failing health retired, until 1907.

DR. G. A. FUNKHOUSER

He was intensely loyal to the Seminary and for this reason he declined the offers made to him of a number of fine pulpits and for the same reason he declined the Bishopric to which the General Conference of 1893 elected him, with this fine statement, "I have, with prayer and counsel, decided that it is my duty to spend what strength God gives me to build a better Seminary, to seek to open here a wider, deeper fountain out from which shall go perennially for all time streams which shall make glad the City of our God. Asking your hearty cooperation to this great end, for the Church and for God, and again thanking you for the distinguished honor done me, I again decline the honor and the office."

Doctor Funkhouser was associated with various philanthropic and civic movements of his city. He was a loyal member of his local church and filled various of its official positions. He wrote several books and tracts and was energetic in circulating tracts written by others on such subjects as Bible Study, Tithing and Prayer. He was treasurer of the Board of Education for years. His outstanding prayer life and his love of the Bible will always be associated with his memory. He was recognized throughout the denomination as a quiet,

unobtrusive man, and as a saintly character who reached and influenced for good as many or more persons than any person in the denomination. His record in the Allegheny Conference minutes is brief and as follows: "Received annual conference license, 1870; admitted into Allegheny Conference, 1870; ordained by Bishop J. Weaver, 1870; served Greensburg Church as student pastor, 1870-1871; elected professor in Union Biblical Seminary, now Bonebrake Seminary, 1871, and served continuously until July 30, 1927, when he was called to his reward."

Of him The Dayton Herald said, "The United Brethren Church in particular and the whole community suffer a great loss in the passing of Dr. George A. Funkhouser, one of the charter members of his local church and a great churchman and citizen. He gave a lifetime to unselfish and devoted service, seeking no honors, asking for no rewards, but always giving all that he had, both in scholarly intelligence and bodily strength, to the cause of true religion. Here was a life full of honor, full of patriotism and inspiring service that cannot be excelled. His life and works were one long record of honorable and distinguished service to mankind."

Dr. J. P. Landis, his life-long friend and fellow worker, in closing his life sketch said, "A devoted husband and exemplary father, a strong churchman, a devout Christian, an able minister and teacher, an upright citizen, a steadfast friend has gone to be with God."

DR. HENRY FOX SHUPE

Henry Fox Shupe, son of Daniel and Mary Shupe, was born March 18, 1860, near Scottdale, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and died October 30, 1926, at Dayton, Ohio. His father, a soldier in the Union Army, was killed in the Civil War in 1865. After this he made his home with his grandfather, Henry R. Fox, for whom he was named. He was sent to the public schools of East Huntingdon Township, Pennsylvania, which were considered very high-grade schools in that day. At a very early age he was sent to the Sabbath school and remained a regular attendant all through his life.

Before his conversion at the age of thirteen, he had the impression that he should become a preacher. His activity and interest in religious work was soon recognized and he was elected superintendent of the Mount Nebo Sunday School at the age of seventeen. Following his public school career he attended normal school and studied two years in the Classical and Scientific Institute at Mount Pleasant,

Pennsylvania. He entered Otterbein University as a Freshman in 1881, but failing health prevented him from completing the course. For six months he traveled a circuit in East Nebraska Conference, hoping thus to regain his health. In June, 1882, he received quarterly conference license to preach. In the autumn of 1882, he entered Union Biblical Seminary, now Bonebrake Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1885.

He received annual conference license from Allegheny Conference. His license, bearing date of September 16, 1885, was signed by Bishop J. Dixon. He was ordained by Bishop Jonathan Weaver, September 25, 1886. He served Tyrone, three years; South Williamsport Mission, one year, and Braddock, two years. He was secretary of Allegheny Conference from 1887 to 1893. He was secretary of the young people's organization of the conference from its founding in 1887 to 1891, when he was elected president. Feeling his need of further preparation for his high calling he took the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific course, completing the four-year course in 1891, and received his diploma from the hand of Dr. Edward Everett Hale. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by York College in 1900.

DR. H. F. SHUPE

As a young aggressive pastor he had been active in young people's work in his own conference. He was active as a member of the convention which met in Dayton, Ohio, in 1890, and effected the organization of the Young People's Christian Union of the United Brethren Church. In 1893, he was one of the delegates from Allegheny Conference to the General Conference which convened in Dayton, Ohio. By this conference the young people's work was recognized as one of the Church departments and the publication of a periodical in the interest of the work was authorized. In looking for an editor what was more natural than that the choice should fall on the young pastor

from Allegheny Conference. From that time on no one ever thought of any other person for editor of The Watchword than "Uncle Harry.'" until his death, in 1926, made it necessary.

His ready pen, wide experience, and Christian sympathies, coupled with his talent for details made him the ideal editor. He not only founded The Watchword, but developed it until it had a circulation of more than sixty thousand weekly and was rated as one of the ablest of young people's publications in America. From 1894, he represented the United Brethren Church as a member of the Board of Trustees of the United Society of Christian Endeavor until his death. Doctor Shupe's books, "Effective Endeavor," and "Hunger of the Teens," have been widely read and have met a real need. He also wrote a number of pamphlets on Christian Endeavor work.

The name of Dr. H. F. Shupe will ever stand closely associated with three outstanding titles. Young People's work, Christian Endeavor, and The Watchword. Though The Watchword and young people's work were the center of interest in his life and career, Dr. Shupe had at heart all the interests of the kingdom and was recorded as a wise and prudent counsellor for all the kingdom interests, both at home and abroad.

There is a glory and rhythm in being where one belongs in life. Surely Doctor Shupe was where he belonged when he was placed in the editorial chair of the young people's publication, for he had the native endowment and acquired ability, coupled with a youthful spirit which guaranteed success. He loved young people and thus he never grew old. He knew how to make friends and keep them. His, indeed, was a beautiful Christian character, developed in the sunshine of God's love. His love for God was a consuming passion and to spend his energies in kingdom enterprises was a delight to him. Fifty years of intelligent, faithful service in the kingdom of Jesus Christ prepared him for a glorious meeting with his Lord.

DR. W. R. FUNK

William Ross Funk, son of Abraham and Catharine Zumbro Funk, was born on a farm near West Newton, Pennsylvania, August 1, 1861, and here he spent the first eighteen years of his life doing just as the normal, country boy would do. He attended township school at the Plummer, or red schoolhouse near his home. When eighteen years of age he entered Otterbein University, now Otterbein College, and studied for three years. He entered Union Biblical Seminary, now Bonebrake Seminary, in 1882, and with the regular work he took

extra studies, almost enough to complete the college course, and graduated in 1886, having completed the Bachelor of Divinity course. Subsequent to this the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by Lane University and later by Otterbein College.

He was converted when eleven years of age and had a very clear experience. He at once united with the Sewickley United Brethren Church, in which he was converted, with his parents. He was granted quarterly conference license in 1880, at the Middletown Church on the Madison circuit, J. Medsger being the presiding elder. He was granted annual conference license at Braddock, Pennsylvania, in 1883, and was received into the Allegheny Conference at the same conference session. Bishop J. Dickson signed his license. He was ordained by Bishop J. Weaver at Conemaugh, Pennsylvania, in 1886. He served Industry, 1883 - 1884; Nebo, 1886-1888; Scottdale, 1888-1892; and Greensburg, 1892-1897, as pastor, all of which are in the Allegheny Conference.

DR. W. R. FUNK

He was elected delegate to the General Conference of 1894, 1897, 1901, 1905, 1909, and 1913, and by virtue of his office has been Advisory Member of all General Conferences held since he was elected Publishing Agent at Toledo, Iowa, May 3, 1897. He was a member of the Bonebrake Seminary Executive Committee and gathered money when the Seminary debt was paid some years ago. He was chairman of the Executive Committee of the Home, Frontier and Foreign Missionary Society and held the same position in the Foreign Missionary Society later, giving fifteen years to each of these positions. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Otterbein College and president of the board and raised more than $100,000 for that institution.

He was a co-founder with Doctor Phillippi of the Otterbein Home, secured most of the money at the beginning and was the chief factor

in the purchase and contract of the Home. He was chairman of the committee when 2,000 acres were sold for $200,000, and is now president of the Board and chairman of the Executive Committee.

His outstanding work has been as agent of the Printing Establishment, which duty he assumed July 1, 1897, and by virtue of eight re-elections continues at this time (1931). When he became agent the gross assets of the institution were $388,778.65, by December 31, 1930, they had increased to the sum of $3,017,106.13. There have been added, the new fourteen story building costing a little over $326,000 in 1905; seven story building on Fourth Street costing about $75,000 in 1903-04; Market Street building completed at a cost of $80,000 in 1910-11; Printing Plant 230-250 West Fifth Street costing over $240,000 in 1915; and the addition to the fourteen-story building on Main Street with tower costing $1,487,449.37.

Nearly $500,000 of equipment and machinery, all in fine shape, makes the future business as secure as business can be made. The Printing Plant and Office Building do nearly $1,000,000 of business a year.

During his term of office he has given more than $500,000 to the church in preachers' fund, subsidies, etc., from the profits of the institution. His boundless capacity for hard work with the application of his business acumen and sterling integrity have brought to the Church these natural developments. He has doubtless dedicated more churches than any other man in our denomination.

DR. SAMUEL STRICKLER HOUGH

Samuel Strickler Hough, son of David W. and Polly Reynolds Hough, was born near Scottdale, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1864. He spent his childhood on the farm and his life was that of the normal, country boy, working on the farm in summer and attending the township school in the winter. The schools of his township were among the best of his time.

He took a teacher's course at Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio; the scientific course at Glasgow, Kentucky, Normal College, 1887; and graduated from Bonebrake Theological Seminary in 1892. He taught in the public schools of Pennsylvania from 1883 to 1886; was principal of the East Brady schools in Pennsylvania from 1887 to 1889. The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by Otterbein College in 1905.

He was converted under the labors of Rev. A. L. Funk, and at once

united in fellowship with the Barren Run United Brethren Church, in 1883, which was then a part of the Westmoreland Charge, but now of the Wyano Charge.

He received his quarterly conference license in 1887; his annual conference license when he was admitted into the Allegheny Conference, in 1890, and was ordained at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, by Bishop N. Castle, in 1892.

DR. S. S. HOUGH

He was pastor of Attica, Sandusky Conference, in 1891; of Millville in Miami Conference during the year of 1891-1892; of the Madison Circuit 1892-1894; of the Madison Station 1894-1895, and of Altoona Second Church for ten years from 1895 to 1905. The latter three pastorates were in Allegheny Conference. He was three times elected by his conference as delegate to the General Conference. In 1905, he was elected General Secretary of Foreign Missions of the denomination and served until 1919. In 1918 he was elected Executive Secretary of the Board of Administration and has served continuously until this time (1931). With characteristic zeal and intensity he has led in the adoption of the Budget System and its development to its present status.

While secretary of Foreign Missions he visited our missions in Porto Rico, China, Japan, the Philippine Islands and West Africa; and in conjunction with the missionaries and native pastors worked out a policy for the development of the native churches and for cooperation with other mission workers. The policy has resulted in the growth and unity of all the forces and it is finding its end in the "United Church" of our day.

He was a delegate to the Ecumenical Missionary Conference, New York, in 1900; World Sunday School Convention, Jerusalem, 1904; and World Missionary Convention, Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1910.

He served as a member of the Missionary Committee on

Latin America and the Executive Committee of the World Sunday School Association; is now a member of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ of America and a member of its Executive Committee, and a member of the United Stewardship Council of the United States and Canada.

He is the author of "Our Church Abroad," "Continuing the Fellowship," "Our Foreign Missionary Enterprise" (with J. S. Mills and W. R. Funk), "China and the Islands" (with G. M. Mathews), "Partners in the Conquering Cause" (with H. F. Shupe), "The Church in Earnest" (with several other contributors), and leaflets such as "Money and the Gospel," and "Life Complete Through Stewardship."

Through his efforts the Stewardship lessons were placed among the Sunday school lessons to be studied. His wide reading, his intense earnestness, and his devotion have made him of great value to his church and the kingdom interests.