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Volume 9 Preachers of U.B. and EUB Virginia Conferences December 26, 2024
abused. On his return similar restrictions were imposed by the Federal military authority. Yet there was some difficulty in
getting over the lines, both going and coming.
From [Funkhouser 1921, pp. 147-149] Glossbrenner in 1831 was among the first, if not the very first, of the United
Brethren ministers who gave their whole time to the calling, and without having any other means of support. It was still
thought by the people that if they fed and lodged the preacher and took care of his horse, they were doing their full part.
This enabled him to exist, but in any proper sense of the term it did not permit him to live. Glossbrenner was first put on
the Hagerstown circuit and next on the Staunton.
The house of Christian Shuey, 7 miles from Churchville, was his home while on the Staunton circuit. Shuey was noble,
wealthy, and generous, and had a room in his house known as the preacher’s room. When an itinerant had rested, he left
his soiled clothes here, and on his return they were ready to put on again. Mrs. Shuey was a granddaughter of George A.
Geeting, one of the three leading founders of the U.B. Church. She took a great interest in its activities, especially the camp
meetings. At this house the young preacher, when not yet 21 years of age was married to Maria M., a daughter of the
Shueys. The marriage was happy to each of the couple, and Mrs. Glossbrenner often accompanied her husband on his
travels. A little earlier the young man had been much inclined to wed one of the Brocks, a sister to the wife of George E.
Deneale. But after becoming acquainted with the Shueys he changed his mind. When visiting at the Brock home,
sometime afterward, he noticed that the object of his earlier attention had a white-handled penknife that he had given her.
He asked her to return it, but she replied that wherever the knife went she went. Glossbrenner was glad to say no more on
the subject of knives.
When Mr. Glossbrenner was but 22 years old he was chosen presiding elder of the Staunton district. He was several
times re-elected, and up to the time that he first became a bishop, he had served but four other itinerancies—Shiloh
mission, and Frederick, Rockbridge, and Staunton circuits. In 1845 he was a bishop and such he remained for 40 years. In
1885 he became bishop emeritus, being continued in all his former relations to the superintendency, but relieved from
presiding over conference sessions.
Bishop Glossbrenner was naturally conservative. When he entered Va. Conf., there were only four circuits, eight
itinerants, and two or three houses of worship. Yet through half a century he kept abreast with the progress of the Church.
Every interest and every great enterprise which grew up in these 50 years found in him a friend, and though crowned with
honor and years he died young in heart. He was a man of retiring modesty, but was a systematic and logical thinker and
profound theologian. As a preacher he was bold, fearless, tender-hearted, persuasive, earnest, and eloquent. Though he
made conversion a direct aim in his preaching, he was not eminently a revivalist. Reformation and not denunciation was
uppermost in his sermons. As a presiding officer he was able, dignified, discreet, and broad-minded. He was also a good
parliamentarian.
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 U.B. 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, Jan. 7, 1887, at the age of 74. 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. H is
preaching was wholly in English. Even his parents understood but little German. he bishop had three daughters. His only
son died in infancy.
GLOVIER: David Franklin Glovier, son of
Legrand and Luvernie E. (Frank) Glovier, was
born near Cherry Grove, Rockingham County,
Va., Oct. 19, 1889, was educated at the
Harrisonburg State Normal School, converted
in 1902, and licensed in 1916, serving first the
Augusta charge. At an early age, David
Glovier felt compelled to preach. During a
revival conducted by Rev. John H. Brunk, he
joined the Donovan Memorial U.B. Church at
age 13. His education began in a Christian
home and a one-room school. He then attended public schools in Rockingham County, including Singers Glen
High School, and Harrisonburg State Teachers College (Madison College). He taught public school for 6 years.
Rev. Glovier was given Quarterly License to Preach in 1915, admitted to Conference and licensed in 1916, and
assigned to the Verona Charge. His entire ministry of more than 50 years was confined to Augusta County.
He was ordained in 1922. Other assignments were St. Pauls and Cherryvale in Staunton, and the Churchville
Charge. He was assigned to the mission at Waynesboro in 1947 and built the church there by 1949, later
known as the Glovier Memorial Church. He was Conference Evangelist for three years. He has served the
Conference in the following positions or capacities: Conference Secretary, Conference Historian and member
of the Conference Historical Society, chairman judicial committee, trustee of Shenandoah College and
Conservatory of Music, conference relations, courses of study, ministerial training, conference missionary
society, Christian education, ministers retirement and widows aid, board of evangelism, and evangelist-at-
large. He has served as pastor, Augusta Charge, St. Paul’s, Staunton, and Churchville Charges; and
Biographical Sketches 56
abused. On his return similar restrictions were imposed by the Federal military authority. Yet there was some difficulty in
getting over the lines, both going and coming.
From [Funkhouser 1921, pp. 147-149] Glossbrenner in 1831 was among the first, if not the very first, of the United
Brethren ministers who gave their whole time to the calling, and without having any other means of support. It was still
thought by the people that if they fed and lodged the preacher and took care of his horse, they were doing their full part.
This enabled him to exist, but in any proper sense of the term it did not permit him to live. Glossbrenner was first put on
the Hagerstown circuit and next on the Staunton.
The house of Christian Shuey, 7 miles from Churchville, was his home while on the Staunton circuit. Shuey was noble,
wealthy, and generous, and had a room in his house known as the preacher’s room. When an itinerant had rested, he left
his soiled clothes here, and on his return they were ready to put on again. Mrs. Shuey was a granddaughter of George A.
Geeting, one of the three leading founders of the U.B. Church. She took a great interest in its activities, especially the camp
meetings. At this house the young preacher, when not yet 21 years of age was married to Maria M., a daughter of the
Shueys. The marriage was happy to each of the couple, and Mrs. Glossbrenner often accompanied her husband on his
travels. A little earlier the young man had been much inclined to wed one of the Brocks, a sister to the wife of George E.
Deneale. But after becoming acquainted with the Shueys he changed his mind. When visiting at the Brock home,
sometime afterward, he noticed that the object of his earlier attention had a white-handled penknife that he had given her.
He asked her to return it, but she replied that wherever the knife went she went. Glossbrenner was glad to say no more on
the subject of knives.
When Mr. Glossbrenner was but 22 years old he was chosen presiding elder of the Staunton district. He was several
times re-elected, and up to the time that he first became a bishop, he had served but four other itinerancies—Shiloh
mission, and Frederick, Rockbridge, and Staunton circuits. In 1845 he was a bishop and such he remained for 40 years. In
1885 he became bishop emeritus, being continued in all his former relations to the superintendency, but relieved from
presiding over conference sessions.
Bishop Glossbrenner was naturally conservative. When he entered Va. Conf., there were only four circuits, eight
itinerants, and two or three houses of worship. Yet through half a century he kept abreast with the progress of the Church.
Every interest and every great enterprise which grew up in these 50 years found in him a friend, and though crowned with
honor and years he died young in heart. He was a man of retiring modesty, but was a systematic and logical thinker and
profound theologian. As a preacher he was bold, fearless, tender-hearted, persuasive, earnest, and eloquent. Though he
made conversion a direct aim in his preaching, he was not eminently a revivalist. Reformation and not denunciation was
uppermost in his sermons. As a presiding officer he was able, dignified, discreet, and broad-minded. He was also a good
parliamentarian.
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 U.B. 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, Jan. 7, 1887, at the age of 74. 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. H is
preaching was wholly in English. Even his parents understood but little German. he bishop had three daughters. His only
son died in infancy.
GLOVIER: David Franklin Glovier, son of
Legrand and Luvernie E. (Frank) Glovier, was
born near Cherry Grove, Rockingham County,
Va., Oct. 19, 1889, was educated at the
Harrisonburg State Normal School, converted
in 1902, and licensed in 1916, serving first the
Augusta charge. At an early age, David
Glovier felt compelled to preach. During a
revival conducted by Rev. John H. Brunk, he
joined the Donovan Memorial U.B. Church at
age 13. His education began in a Christian
home and a one-room school. He then attended public schools in Rockingham County, including Singers Glen
High School, and Harrisonburg State Teachers College (Madison College). He taught public school for 6 years.
Rev. Glovier was given Quarterly License to Preach in 1915, admitted to Conference and licensed in 1916, and
assigned to the Verona Charge. His entire ministry of more than 50 years was confined to Augusta County.
He was ordained in 1922. Other assignments were St. Pauls and Cherryvale in Staunton, and the Churchville
Charge. He was assigned to the mission at Waynesboro in 1947 and built the church there by 1949, later
known as the Glovier Memorial Church. He was Conference Evangelist for three years. He has served the
Conference in the following positions or capacities: Conference Secretary, Conference Historian and member
of the Conference Historical Society, chairman judicial committee, trustee of Shenandoah College and
Conservatory of Music, conference relations, courses of study, ministerial training, conference missionary
society, Christian education, ministers retirement and widows aid, board of evangelism, and evangelist-at-
large. He has served as pastor, Augusta Charge, St. Paul’s, Staunton, and Churchville Charges; and
Biographical Sketches 56
