Daniel Stoffer

From HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN IN MARYLAND,
undated, compiler unk.  

DANIEL F. STOUFFER

  Daniel F. STOUFFER was one of the most beloved leaders of Middle
Maryland in his day.  His father, Abraham STOUFFER, and his mother,
Susan FAHRNEY STOUFFER, were of well-known families.  Daniel was born on
his father's farm near McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1839,
and moved to Washington County, Maryland, with his parents when he was
only a young lad.  He attended public school until sixteen years of age
and then began reading medicine under the direction of his uncle, Dr.
Daniel FAHRNEY, at Mapleville, Maryland.
  He was a man of great energy.  When he had studied medicine for two
years, he decided that a medical career would not appeal to him.  At the
age of eighteen he joined an engineering corps and went west to help
survey lands on the frontiers.  Outdoor life appealed to him.  The
thrill of adventure enchated his young soul, but one day it dawned on
him that the wild ways of a surveying corps were drawing him away from
the pious life of his Christian ancestors.  He resigned his position and
returned to Maryland, accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and began to
prepare himself for the ministry.  He was called to that sacred office
at the age of twenty-three at a love feast.
  Daniel F. was endowed with great magnetic power which drew people to
him.  His voice was musical and winning, both in the pulpit and in
teaching music.  He was probably the greatest natural-born evangelist of
Maryland during the nineteenth century.  He was popular among all
classes of people.  Young couples often traveled many miles to be
married by him.  The sick sent for him and relatives of the dead called
him to preach their funeral.  He was never too busy to leave his work
and go wherever called.
  After returning from the west, he married Drusilla, daughter of
Ezekiel and Jane CHANEY, a refined and cultured young woman from an old
Episcopal family of St. Marks, whose ancestors came from Prince George
County, Maryland, to Washington County at an early date.  Daniel F. and
Drusilla STOUFFER were parents of two children.  Mary married Dr. C. R.
SCHELLER of Hagerstown, and Jennie became the wife of a Mr. NEWCOMER.
  In business, Daniel F. STOUFFER was active and energetic.  He was
considered the greatest auctioneer in Maryland.  His services were in
demand over a wide area.  He became an auctioneer by a mere accident. 
One day he attended a sale and the one who was to act that day was late,
or did not come.  Someone said: "Dan STOUFFER has a good voice, let him
do it."  His musical voice, and his pleasing personal charm won the
admiration of everyone.  The matter was settled:  Daniel F. STOUFFER
would be a public servant.
  The reputation and poplularity of Daniel grew by leaps and bounds.  He
was the most talked of preacher and auctioneer in Middle Maryland.  In
the fall and spring season he followed his profession with great
success.  In the winter and summer the evangelistic field claimed his
time.  His success in both was phenomenal.
  He was crying a sale one day and a strong, robust man up to him and
said, "If I could auctioneer like you, I would never do anything else." 
Young Joseph NEIBERT was given a trial and was accepted as a partner. 
The two men were about the same size.  Their voices were identical and
many times they exchanged places at the sale and the people would not
know the difference unless they wee looking at the auctioneer at the
time.
  Joseph NEIBERT was encouraged by STOUFFER to take up the ministry. 
They were companions on business s well as evangelistic trips.
  Daniel F. STOUFFER was a humble man with deep convictions.  He was
patient, sympathetic and gentle.  Children loved him and youth followed
his wife and fatherly advice.  Both young and old admired his sincerity
and humility.
  The late Wilbur B. STOVER, writing about him, said:  "His greatest
trial came when his senior collaborer suddenly died, and another went
off with another branch of the church.  Daniel remained loyal to the
conservative element of the Brotherhood and labored faithfully to heal
the breach in the congregation of which he then became elder.  How well
he wrought time will tell."
  Daniel F. STOUFFER was led to Christ under unusual circumstances.  On
New Year's Eve, 1857, a revival was started at Mount Zion Church.  The
evangelists came two by two and preached a few days and then went on to
other places.  This method of revival lsted over a month and about
seventy persons were baptized, among them Daniel F. STOUFFER, William
KOONTZ, Samuel FOLTZ, and Andrew COST, who became ministers in the
Church of the Brethren at a later date.  Five years after his baptism,
the church called him to the ministry.  He preached the gospel for
thirty-six years.  He led more than one thousand to Christ, and in the
midst of his labors, an all-wise God called him up higher.  This great
leader of the nineteenth century passed away suddenly March 7, 1898,
mourned by the whole Brotherhood, and was laid to rest at Beaver Creek
in sight of his earthly home.


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