168 / Growth in the Early 1900's

the Appalachian Mountains, to Negroes-often in the face of travel difficulties and in communities where religious influence was something not well known. His zeal drove him to face dangers and threats for the sake of the gospel.

The same congregation was later to become active in starting Sunday schools in the neighborhood and in ministering to new congregations in nearby counties and cities. A son of Eli B. Stoltzfus, Elmer, succeeded him as bishop in 1959, and David F. Miller was ordained pastor in 1962.

In 1909 a mission in Orrville was established by the Oak Grove (of the Amish near Smithville) and Martins (of the Mennonites near Orrville) churches." In 1911 the mission was taken over by the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities which operated it until 1921 when it was transferred to the Ohio Mission Board. In 1922 the mission was organized as the Orrville Mennonite Church with 100 charter members. By 1936 an independent congregation was established.

In Central Ohio

In 1896 a Madison County Amish community was started as a daughter colony of the Holmes County Amish.' By 1903 it was well established; its thrifty members engaged in the production of crops on the rich black soil, some of which was once swampy. The community retained the Amish traditions of intensive farming, belief in rural life as the good life, a peculiar style of dress, and mutual aid. There was little change until 1930.

However, as early as 1916 and 1917 a few members of this community united with the Oak Grove Church near West Liberty. At least one family, that of Ben D. Yoder, moved to West Liberty. Others continued to live in Madison County but to worship at Oak Grove. In 1924 S. E. Allgyer preached the first sermon for this group in a Madison County farm home. In 1926 a Sunday school was organized near Plain City in Madison County. S. E. Allgyer and N. E. Troyer of the West Liberty community conducted church services occasionally after the Sunday school was organized. In 1927 young people's meetings and a midweek Bible study were started. The following year saw the first Bible conference. In 1933 the group became an independent congregation with Abram Kauffman ordained as minister by S. E. Allgyer. During the same year Enos F. Hartzler conducted a Bible conference. The congregation be-