History of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 1887



John Fohl Biography


Rev. John Fohl, United Brethren minister, Chambersburg, was born in Antrim Township, Franklin Co., Penn., June 7, 1815, a son of John and Susannah (Gilbert) Fohl, who came to Antrim Township from Adams County, Penn., in 1809. Our subject grew up amid agricultural pursuits, attending, during the winter seasons, the country schools, until 1832. May 10 he was converted to God, and joined the United Brethren Church, and later in the same year attended the Gettysburg school. December 2, 1835, he entered the itinerancy of the United Brethren Church as a minister, and March 1, 1836, was assigned to Clearfield Circuit, which embraced the territory of five counties, a circumference of 250 miles through the forests and over the mountains, his salary being $80. He next traveled Washington Circuit, which embraced a portion of five counties, and on which he remained one year. He received, for the labors of his second year, $34.

Frequently he had neither road nor path, but was governed by blazed trees through the dense forest, wherein were bears, panthers and wild cats, also deer in abundance. He traveled many miles in that dreary country, weeping and praying as he went for supporting grace. He was appointed to the Chambersburg Circuit in the year 1838 -39. In the church of the United Brethren in Chambersburg, November 8, 1838, a great revival occurred, which was continued day and night for five weeks, during which about eighty-five souls were converted and added to the church.

March 7, 1839, Mr. Fohl was married to Mary Radebaugh, one of the converts of said revival. After marriage he became a settled pastor of the church at Chambersburg, which was then constituted a station, and served the charge one year. In 1840 he was elected presiding elder and traveled the district for three years following, after which he was appointed to Shiremanstown station, and served the people there three years. His next appointment was to the Littlestown Circuit, Adams County, Penn., which he traveled two years, then was sent to York Spring Mission, thence to Lancaster Circuit, which he traveled for two years. In the spring of 1853 he moved to Indiana, and was a resident of that State fifteen years, during which period he was city missionary in Cincinnati for one year; while in Indiana was engaged as agent for the American Bible Society and American Sunday School Union. In the fall of 1867 he returned to Penn., and after laboring in various places, again traveled the York Spring Circuit one year, thence to Mont Alto one year; thence one year to Mercersburg Circuit; in 1871 he was stationed at Mount Joy, in Lancaster County, and since that time has been without a charge, but has labored as a home missionary in different counties and without compensation.

To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fohl, eleven children were born (nine still living) -five daughters and six sons.


Source: Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania : containing genealogical records of representative families, including many of the early settlers, and biographical sketches of prominent citizens; Chicago. Genealogical Pub. Co. 1905. Notes: Prepared in part by George O. Seilhamer.















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