Page 76 - History of UB Church by A. Funkhouser Ver 1
P. 76
A younger minister, in giving some reminiscences, remarked that whenever he looked at
Glossbrenner, he felt inspired to make a better man of himself. Bishop Hott said that Glossbrenner
was unique, that no other man could be like him, and that no person since Otterbein had so
strongly impressed himself on the United Brethren Church.
The bishop's fine farm on Middle River was the gift of his father-in-law. In 1855 he removed to
a very comfortable home at Churchville. In the opinion of the public he was worth several times the
actual inventory of $10,000 and some insurance. During his first year as bishop he received only
$36 and his traveling expenses. This stipend was increased to $750 in 1865, and later to twice that
amount.
Bishop Glossbrenner died at his home at Churchville, January 7, 1887, at the age of seventy-
four. He was of more than medium height. He had black eyes, dark complexion, and regular
features. His manner was winning and sincere. By adults he was familiarly known as "Brother
Gloss," and by children as "Uncle Gloss." His voice was distinct, ringing, and melodious. His
preaching was wholly in English. Even his parents understood but little German. The bishop had
three daughters. His only son died in infancy.
Jacob J. Glossbrenner built himself very largely into the history of the Virginia Conference, and
more is said of him in other chapters of this book.
Jacob Markwood was born at Charlestown, West Virginia, December 25, 1818. His brother was
a Presbyterian. When thirteen years old, and an apprentice in a woolen factory, he was converted.
He soon felt it his duty to preach, and at the age of eighteen was licensed to exhort. A few months
later he was placed on Hagerstown circuit. His next field was the South Branch. In 1843 he was a
presiding elder, and beginning with 1845 was a delegate to every General Conference. In 1861 he
was elected bishop and held this place eight years. As a preacher, Bishop Markwood was fervent
and eloquent. He was an indefatigable worker, and one of the most remarkable men the United
Brethren Church has produced. In personal appearance he was dark, thin, and wiry, and he was too
heedless of his physical welfare. He died at Luray, Virginia in 1873.
James W. Hott, a son of Jacob F. Hott, was born November 15, 1844, was converted at the age
of thirteen, and three years later was licensed to preach. In 1862, when but eighteen years old, he
entered the Virginia Conference, and was ordained in 1865. During the eleven years that he was a
member of the conference, his fields were Winchester, Martinsburg, Woodstock, Churchville,
Boonsboro, and Hagerstown. He was very successful, several hundred conversions taking place
under his ministry.
In the General Conference of 1869 he was the youngest delegate, being twenty-four years of
age. At the next General Conference, of which he was likewise a member, he was chosen treasurer
of its Missionary Society. In 1877 he became editor of the Religious Telescope, and held this very
important position twelve years. This period was a critical time in the history of the Church, yet he
filled the place with great tact and acceptability.
In 1881 Dr. Hott was chosen as a delegate to the Methodist Ecumenical Conference at London.
He extended his visit to the Eastern Continent, and his "Journeyings in the Old World" is one of the
best books of its kind ever written. In 1889 he was elected bishop and for twelve years he filled
this place with credit to himself and the church. In 1894 he made an official visit to the mission
fields in Germany and Africa. This seemed to fire his zeal in the cause of missions.
Although Bishop Hott was a self-made man, his was a well-stored and cultured mind, and he
was an eloquent speaker. The degree of doctor of divinity was conferred on him by two colleges,
and that of doctor of laws by Lane University.
Dr. Hott was recognized within and without his church as an able preacher, strong writer, an
efficient presiding officer, and a safe counselor. His superior natural gifts and his positive
convictions, sharpened by lifelong study, made him a leader. He was at the front in every
movement looking to the good of the Church and the salvation of men. His deep and genuine
interest in young people made him a friend of the United Brethren schools and the Christian
societies of the young folks. He possessed an unusual personal charm. His conversational power,
his urbanity of manner, his warm affability, and his genuine hospitality were attractive elements of
Chapter XIX 76 Bishops, Missionaries, and
Others
Glossbrenner, he felt inspired to make a better man of himself. Bishop Hott said that Glossbrenner
was unique, that no other man could be like him, and that no person since Otterbein had so
strongly impressed himself on the United Brethren Church.
The bishop's fine farm on Middle River was the gift of his father-in-law. In 1855 he removed to
a very comfortable home at Churchville. In the opinion of the public he was worth several times the
actual inventory of $10,000 and some insurance. During his first year as bishop he received only
$36 and his traveling expenses. This stipend was increased to $750 in 1865, and later to twice that
amount.
Bishop Glossbrenner died at his home at Churchville, January 7, 1887, at the age of seventy-
four. He was of more than medium height. He had black eyes, dark complexion, and regular
features. His manner was winning and sincere. By adults he was familiarly known as "Brother
Gloss," and by children as "Uncle Gloss." His voice was distinct, ringing, and melodious. His
preaching was wholly in English. Even his parents understood but little German. The bishop had
three daughters. His only son died in infancy.
Jacob J. Glossbrenner built himself very largely into the history of the Virginia Conference, and
more is said of him in other chapters of this book.
Jacob Markwood was born at Charlestown, West Virginia, December 25, 1818. His brother was
a Presbyterian. When thirteen years old, and an apprentice in a woolen factory, he was converted.
He soon felt it his duty to preach, and at the age of eighteen was licensed to exhort. A few months
later he was placed on Hagerstown circuit. His next field was the South Branch. In 1843 he was a
presiding elder, and beginning with 1845 was a delegate to every General Conference. In 1861 he
was elected bishop and held this place eight years. As a preacher, Bishop Markwood was fervent
and eloquent. He was an indefatigable worker, and one of the most remarkable men the United
Brethren Church has produced. In personal appearance he was dark, thin, and wiry, and he was too
heedless of his physical welfare. He died at Luray, Virginia in 1873.
James W. Hott, a son of Jacob F. Hott, was born November 15, 1844, was converted at the age
of thirteen, and three years later was licensed to preach. In 1862, when but eighteen years old, he
entered the Virginia Conference, and was ordained in 1865. During the eleven years that he was a
member of the conference, his fields were Winchester, Martinsburg, Woodstock, Churchville,
Boonsboro, and Hagerstown. He was very successful, several hundred conversions taking place
under his ministry.
In the General Conference of 1869 he was the youngest delegate, being twenty-four years of
age. At the next General Conference, of which he was likewise a member, he was chosen treasurer
of its Missionary Society. In 1877 he became editor of the Religious Telescope, and held this very
important position twelve years. This period was a critical time in the history of the Church, yet he
filled the place with great tact and acceptability.
In 1881 Dr. Hott was chosen as a delegate to the Methodist Ecumenical Conference at London.
He extended his visit to the Eastern Continent, and his "Journeyings in the Old World" is one of the
best books of its kind ever written. In 1889 he was elected bishop and for twelve years he filled
this place with credit to himself and the church. In 1894 he made an official visit to the mission
fields in Germany and Africa. This seemed to fire his zeal in the cause of missions.
Although Bishop Hott was a self-made man, his was a well-stored and cultured mind, and he
was an eloquent speaker. The degree of doctor of divinity was conferred on him by two colleges,
and that of doctor of laws by Lane University.
Dr. Hott was recognized within and without his church as an able preacher, strong writer, an
efficient presiding officer, and a safe counselor. His superior natural gifts and his positive
convictions, sharpened by lifelong study, made him a leader. He was at the front in every
movement looking to the good of the Church and the salvation of men. His deep and genuine
interest in young people made him a friend of the United Brethren schools and the Christian
societies of the young folks. He possessed an unusual personal charm. His conversational power,
his urbanity of manner, his warm affability, and his genuine hospitality were attractive elements of
Chapter XIX 76 Bishops, Missionaries, and
Others
