Dreisbach-Dresbach Family Association

Reverend John Dreisbach - 1789-1871

Source of this narrative:  The Dreisbach Book  p. 44

Reverend John Dreisbach, church leader, hymnodist, circuit rider in three states.

Rev. John is perhaps the most noteworthy personage to have come out of any Dreisbach line.  A son of Martin Dreisbach Jr. and grandson of immigrant Martin, he grew up in central Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1789.  He was living near New Berlin, Pennsylvania when, soon after 1804, he was converted by travelling preacher John Albright.  A new denomination had recently arisen from Albright's work, called by some the German Methodists, and known for many years as the Evangelical United Brethren.  John Dreisbach was licensed as a minister in 1807, and soon a large circuit was entrusted to him.  After Albright's death in 1808, Rev. John was first appointed secretary of the conference, then elected Presiding Elder by his fellow-preachers in 1814.  He had an enormous conference district to oversee, covering southern New York, much of Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, and four times a year he visited the whole territory, making these tremendous long-distance visitations on horseback.

These years of circuit-riding took their toll, and in 1821 Rev. John retired from the active ministry.  When his health had improved, he was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature, where he served in 1828 and 1829.  In 1831 Rev. John moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, where many of his relatives had previously settled.  He owned a farm a few miles southeast of Circleville.  Here he founded a church, setting apart some of his farmland for the purpose.  This Ebenezer Evangelical Church is no longer extant.  "Father Dreisbach," as he was known within the denomination, remained a dedicated and respected member until his death at age 82 in 1871.  He is buried in the Ebenezer Cemetery.

Rev. John Dreisbach is remembered among other things for the denominational publishing house he established as early as 1817, and especially for the hymnals he compiled in English and in German.  Though he was at home in both languages, he was a strong advocate of providing his German-speaking flock with hymnals and other publications in their "first" language.  To this end he composed 35 German-language hymns that were used in his denomination as long as services were held in German -- into the first decade of the twentieth century.

Annals of Martin Dreisbach, pp. 34-35:

Rev. John Dreisbach

John entered the Ministry of the Evangelical Association in Pennsylvania, when 18 years of age, as is asserted by some of his descendants, but probably when 17, according to our earliest records of a church in Pennsylvania.  The mention of his name is one of the four local preachers in the Society in 1806.  Young Dreisbach went out the following year as a traveling preacher and thus began his career of widely extended usefulness.  He was the fifth itinerant appointed, and during his first services in that capacity, was often accompanied by the famous founder of the Association, The Rev. Jacob Albright, from whom he received great inspiration.

Dreisbach was stationed in 1809 with another preacher, George Miller, on the old circuit, which embraced 20 appointments in parts of Dauphin, Lebanon, Lancaster, Berks, Bucks, Montgomery, Northampton, Lehigh and Schuylkill Counties, Pa.  Next year he was transferred to Northumberland circuit where his duties were difficult and attended with great disadvantage and self denial.  About this time there arose a storm of opposition and persecution against the Evangelical Association and United Brethern.  Libels were uttered and as they obtained many believers the feeling of enmity ran high against the new and struggling church.  Violence was often threatened and some declared willingness to take up arms against the people of the little flock, and exterminate them if it were not against the law.  (An incident of danger is quoted in Orwig, History of the Evangelical Association.)  Rev. Dreisbach continued preaching in the Lancaster, the Northumberland, and Lebanon Circuits for many years.  He received tempting offers from Bishop Asbury of the M. E. Church to join that denomination but he declined.  His Allegiance was unswerving although he could, many times, better his situation in a pecuniary way, by joining the church of similar faith.  His pay was small for a number of years $30.00 then $50.00, not enough to keep the Itinerant in clothes much less to meet other needs of the family.

In 1812 Mr. Dreisbach was placed in charge of a mission in New York during which time he passed through an ailment which rendered him incapable of attending to his ministerial duties as he had formerly been doing.  For a time he was threatened with complete prostration, but he passed through this trying period safely and perhaps was strengthened for the enlarged responsibility he was to bear.

Almost the entire duty of managing the affairs of ten Associations devolved upon him after 1812 and instead of laboring in the older established circuits from this time on, he was engaged in laying out new circuits for work.  In 1814 the Conference elected him first Presiding Elder.  During 1815 he preached several times in Philadelphia and in the fall of that year traveled as far west as Buffalo, Niagara Falls, preaching there and in Canada with good effect.

He completed a Catechism, which comes into general use, and in conjunction with a brother minister arranged the German Hymn Book and rearranged and improved the "Articles of Faith" and discipline.  In 1816 he was leader in the movement to effect the Union of the Evangelical Association and the United Brethern.

In 1817 (May 2) he preached the Dedication Sermon of the first church erected by the Society at New Berlin, Pa.  He constantly won popularity both as Preacher and Man.

In 1828-9 he was a member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania and later talked of as a candidate for Governor.  He had no ambitions, however, for distinction.  He was ready for any labor that would advance the interests of the Church and Christianity.

He moved to Ohio in 1831 and bought a farm in Pickaway County.  However, he paid little attention to the farm and continued his labors as a Minister, beginning among neighbors and afterward having charge of a circuit which included Pickaway County.  He was also stationed at Dayton and Chillicothe.  For several years he was editor of the Evangelical Messenger, the church paper published in the English language.  His life was one of unceasing activity, his pen was constantly employed.  He had retired from active work in the ministry.  He wrote a vast deal of matter, chiefly religious.  Much of this material was for the History of the Evangelical Association, gathered by him with scarcely any thought of himself but constantly seeking the advancement of the church and the spiritual good of his neighbors and of humanity in general.  He labored on, day after day and year after year, until the close of his life.

History of Franklin and Pickaway Counties:

The Patriarch of the Evangelical Association Finishes His Race Here Below.

Father John Dreisbach left his "Earthly house of this tabernacle" for "A house not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens", on August 20, 1871, in Circleville, Ohio, after he had been about eighty-three years "a pilgrim and a stranger" on the Earth.

Bro. Dreisbach was born June 5, 1789, in Northumberland Co., Pa.  His parents were Martin and Sabine F. Dreisbach.  John often praised God for such good parents, who led a religious, prayerful life, and trained their children in the fear of the Lord.  But the youthful John, nevertheless, strayed away into sin, until he reached his 17th year, when the Spirit of God reproved him sharply, whereupon he began earnestly to repent.  He prayed, read the Holy Scriptures, and sought forgiveness of his sins, until one day he apprehended Christ by faith, and the love of God was shed abroad into his heart, for which he praised God from the bottom of his heart.  This took place in November, 1808.

On Whitsuntide, 1807, he received a preacher's license at the hands of Rev. Jacob Albright, and on November 6, 1807, he left the parental home and journeyed to the first conference, which was held at the house of Samuel Becker, at Muelbach (now Kleinfeltersville), Pa., where he was received into the itinerancy and assigned an appointment.  In the beginning of his itinerant lavors he traveled frequently in company with Albright, who gave him much good advice and encouragement.  In 1814 he was elected the first presiding elder in the Association and in that capacity traveled over the entire territory of the Association-- about 300 miles in length and 100 miles in width, guiding the work with a skillful but also a strong hand.  But the severe hardships and privations connected with the itinerant service at that time, and especially with the labors and administration of the presiding elder's office, broke down his health and in great part his constitution too, so that he was obliged to take another relation in 1822 and never afterwards became able to do much service as an itinerant.  But he assisted the work a great deal in other respects and sometimes became a temporary supply in time of need on fields of labor.  He was also a fruitful correspondent of the Church papers, composed many hymns both German and English, also served as Editor of the Evangelical Messenger from October 25, 1854 until March 18, 1857.  He was a member of General Conference almost without interruption from 1816 until 1867 and his advice was highly appreciated by those important assemblies.  He was, as it were, the patriarch of the Evangelical Association.  His presence was everywhere acceptable and his cooperation and influence was channels of blessings.

As a preacher he stood near the front ranks in the earlier days of the Association.  He preached soundly and often so powerfully that sinners fell to the earth and cried for mercy, and the entire audience would be shaken and moved.  As editor he rendered the Church and the readers valuable assistance and service.  As to his character and conduct he was indeed an unalamable and exemplary Christian; and was justly very highly esteemed by Preachers, members, neighbors and all sensible people, both in Pennsylvania where he lived until 1831 and afterward in Pickaway County, Ohio, where he lived during the balance of his life.  In Pennsylvania he was nominated and was triumphantly elected to the legislature of that state, whilst he was a local preacher, and served during the years 1828-29 with credit to himself and the State, at the same time honoring Christianity by his conduct and influence.

His personal appearance was quite favorable.  His tall person, a countenance indicating a full, rounded character, his large clear earnestness, and when when he spoke to the "weary and heavy laden" softly beamed with sympathy and tenderness, contributed much to increase his influence and made the impression that he was a highly favored patriarchal man of God.

Finally he arrived at the end of his earthly career, peacefully and blessedly laid down the cross and took up the crown.

Descendants of John Dreisbach (his descendants carried on the original spelling of Dreisbach)

 1   John DREISBACH b: Jun 05, 1789 in Union Co., Pennsylvania    d: Aug 20, 1871 in Circleville, Pickaway Co, OH
.  +Catherine EYER b: Mar 11, 1785 in Union Co. PA   m: Apr 11, 1811 in Union Co, Pennsylvania d: Apr 04, 1815 in Union Co. PA

.... 2   Salome Eyer DREISBACH b: Abt. Jan 13, 1812 in PA    d: Jan 01, 1891 in Ross Co. OH
........  +Henry BUCHWALTER b: Jun 03, 1812   m: Feb 18, 1836 in Pickaway Co. OH d: 1860 in Ross Co, Ohio
.... 2   Elizabeth Eyer DREISBACH b: Jul 12, 1813 in PA    d: Dec 21, 1891 in Pickaway Co. OH
........  +Benjamin STEELEY b: 1815   m: Apr 02, 1835 in Pickaway Co. OH d: 1899

  *2nd Wife of John DREISBACH:
.  +Frehne (Fanny) EYER b: Sep 22, 1791   m: Abt. Feb 26, 1817 in Union Co. PA d: Nov 26, 1876 in Pickaway Co. OH  Father: Abraham Eyer Mother: Catherine Greybill

.... 2   Abraham Eyer DREISBACH b: Feb 21, 1818 in Union Co., PA    d: Nov 28, 1876 in OH
........  +Mary Ann MEISSE b: Mar 23, 1817   m: Apr 16, 1840 in Fairfield Co., OH d: Feb 09, 1857 in Tiffin, Seneca Co, OH  Father: John Miesse Mother: Katherine Klein
....  *2nd Wife of Abraham Eyer DREISBACH:
........  +Elizabeth STROME b: Feb 22, 1813 in Lebanon, OH   m: Mar 21, 1857 d: Sep 06, 1871 in Probably in Tiffin, OH
....  *3rd Wife of Abraham Eyer DREISBACH:
........  +Sarah HANKEY b: May 17, 1821   m: Abt. 1872 d: Oct 19, 1904

.... 2   Isaac Eyer DREISBACH b: Mar 28, 1819 in Union Co. PA    d: Mar 27, 1897 in Pickaway Co. OH
........  +Lydia HITTLE b: Nov 10, 1821 in Lehigh Co. PA   m: Feb 09, 1841 in Pickaway Co. OH d: Apr 16, 1910 in Circleville, Pickaway Co, OH

.... 2   Catherine Eyer DREISBACH b: Aug 17, 1820 in Union Co. PA    d: Feb 08, 1905 in Lafayette, IN
........  +Lewis EINSEL b: Oct 22, 1813   m: May 03, 1842 in Pickaway Co. OH

.... 2   Sophia Eyer DREISBACH b: Nov 27, 1821 in Union Co. PA    d: Aft. 1900 in Monroe, Michigan
........  +John KEMMERLING
....  *2nd Husband of Sophia Eyer DREISBACH:
........  +Eli LOOSE    m: 1844

.... 2   Jacob Eyer DREISBACH b: Mar 17, 1823 in Union Co. PA    d: May 11, 1909 in Jasper Co. MO
........  +Catherine WAGNER    m: Mar 07, 1844 in OH d: Jan 01, 1892

.... 2   Leah Eyer DREISBACH b: Oct 20, 1824 in Union Co. PA    d: Nov 23, 1891 in Pickaway Co, Ohio
........  +David Brandt WAGNER b: Nov 14, 1822   m: Jan 19, 1845 in Pickaway Co. OH d: Nov 29, 1894

.... 2   Martin Eyer DREISBACH b: Sep 08, 1826 in Union Co. PA    d: Aft. 1910 in prob Circleville, Pickaway Co, OH
........  +Elizabeth REEDY    m: Apr 09, 1848 in Ross Co. OH d: Oct 1903 in OH

.... 2   Susannah Eyer DREISBACH b: Mar 04, 1828 in Union Co. PA    d: Jan 11, 1906 in Woodford Co, Illinois
........  +George L. KAMP b: Jan 15, 1828 in Berks Co. PA   m: Abt. May 20, 1851 in OH d: May 29, 1906 in Woodford Co, IL

.... 2   John Eyer DREISBACH b: Apr 28, 1830 in Union Co. PA    d: Feb 27, 1864 in Pickaway Co, Ohio
........  +Mary REEDY b: Jul 20, 1830   m: Dec 25, 1851 in Ross Co. OH d: May 01, 1869

.... 2   Fanny Eyer DREISBACH b: Nov 26, 1832 in Union Co. PA    d: May 30, 1914
........  +Lewis Clinton SPICKLER b: Nov 01, 1822   m: Nov 11, 1852 in OH d: Apr 1886

.... 2   Martha Eyer DREISBACH b: Nov 07, 1834 in Circleville, Pickaway Co., OH    d: Nov 25, 1876 in Denver, Denver Co, CO
........  +William Cowpers GILDERSLEEVE b: Sep 03, 1822 in Pittsford, Monroe Co., NY   m: Nov 11, 1852 in Circleville, Pickaway Co, OH d: Oct 23, 1894 in Denver, Denver Co., CO Burial: Denver Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, CO Father: William Gildersleeve Mother: Emily Hills

The General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church has an extensive collection of Rev. John's papers and personal memorabilia (not digitized). Follow the link to search for Dreisbach in their collection.