Growth in the Early 1900's / 167

and growth of the Plainview Church in Portage County, Ohio. In 1904 Joseph and Alex Stutzman of Nebraska settled on land near Aurora. In 1905 they were joined by the Alex A. Miller family of Sugarcreek, Ohio. Others from Kansas, Iowa, Colorado, Missouri, Michigan, and Pennsylvania settled in the new community.

By 1906 a Sunday school was organized. In 1908 a class of converts was baptized by Bishop Moses Mast. During March of 1909 Eli B. Stoltzfus arrived from the West Liberty community and in his coming the growing congregation had its first resident pastor, a man who faithfully served till his death in 1942. Stoltzfus, as early as March 13, 1909, wrote in the Gospel Herald that in this community there was economic as well as spiritual opportunity. There is something typical in Stoltzfus' letter to the Gospel Herald in that it reflects both the economic and spiritual concern which was so often found in the church leaders of past generations.

The last goodbyes given, the farewells spoken, the ringing of the bell, the throb of the great locomotive, and we were off for our future home and field of labor at Aurora, in Portage County, Ohio, where we arrived in due time and the brotherhood here soon had our car of household goods unloaded.

There is a membership here of 38 besides three applicants for baptism and another family moving in this spring. Farming land is very reasonable in price and is adapted to the main cereals. Markets good, as we are located on the Erie railroad between the great cities of Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Anyone desiring information in regard to this place will please address above and we shall gladly answer to the best of our ability.

Remember us at the throne of grace that we may always be true, that we may be used to His name's honor and glory, for the advancement of His cause and the extension of the borders of His kingdom.

Early in its life this congregation showed a missionary vision which was to characterize it for years to come. Much of this was due to the efforts of Eli B. Stoltzfus. The congregation also had as one of its ministers Daniel Raber (1858-1939), who was an itinerant evangelist. Raber was born in Iowa and joined the Mennonite Church at twenty-four. He was ordained in Kansas City in 1890. After moving to Aurora in 1911 he served not only this new community but traveled extensively to Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.' Raber felt a call to preach to neglected and unchurched communities, and for this he had definite gifts. He became known as a remarkable and zealous preacher to all kinds of people. He preached to miners, to isolated people of