Who's Who at Akron Gospel Hall, OH

Akron Gospel Hall, Akron, Summit Co., OH (OB) +1898-2025+

Early Correspondents

• Dan Becker +1898+
• M.W. Becker +1927-1932+
• Joseph Bercaw +1936-1966
• Thomas Wright 1967-1991
• Kenneth Webb 1992-present?

Resident Workers

• Harry Becker 1913+
• William B. Johnson +1944
• Albert P. Klabunda 1956+

Notable Families

Becker family

WiS 1940-1: Fallen Asleep: Akron, OH: "Dan L. Becker, after a lingering illness, went into the presence of the Lord on Nov. 17. A brother who feared God above many. Who sought to honor God and serve His people. Faithful when in health. Patient in his long illness. His end was peace. The Editor, while holding tent meetings in Akron this summer had the privilege of visiting dear Dan often while there, and shall never forget one day when he sat up in his bed and sweetly sang, “Can You Wonder That I Love Him So.” The fragrance and savor of Christ that he manifested will ever be blessed in the memory of those who knew him. For many years he lived in Oakland, Cal. The services were very large, over 70 relatives being present. W. P. Douglas and Albert Joyce spoke goodly and faithful words to those who attended."

WiS 1933-1: Fallen Asleep: Akron, OH: "On Dec. 7, 1932, Mrs. Rebecca Becker (mother of Dan, Mike, Harry and Prank Becker) went to be with Christ after 10 days illness. Aged 78 years. Saved at meetings held in Akron 35 years ago by John Smith. Continued steadfast unto the end. Her home and hospitality was shared by many of God's servants who are now with the Lord. She was left a widow with 12 children the year she was saved (of which 9 are now saved). Attended all meetings faithfully until within 2 weeks before going home. The services which were large were conducted in the home by Wm. Ferguson; at the hall by B. Bradford and G. Duncan; at the grave by Duncan White.

AA 1949-6: With Christ: Cleveland, OH: "Harry Becker of this city went home on June 3, after a brief illness when many of the Lord’s people prayed for him. The Cleveland Press of June 4 said, “Harry Becker led a dual life of preacher and railroad engineer. He began his preaching career in 1913. His 'pulpit’ was the Tom Johnson Square. Devoted to this personal evangelism, he spoke to thousands of passers by. Before coming to Cleveland six years ago he lived in Columbus, Orville and Akron. Until he made his permanent home here, his preaching on the square was during railroad stopovers.” Traveling in his years of retirement on a railroad pass made it convenient for Mr. Becker to travel and he was often seen at conferences of the Lord’s people. He attended the Christian Workers' Conference each year. Mrs. Becker requests prayer for his son Dan who gave evidence of being troubled as he listened to the Word, and also for his daughters who are away from the Lord."

• Rebecca Becker +1898-1932
  • Dan Becker +1898-1940 (d. 1939 Akron, OH)
  • M.W. (Michael?) Becker +1927-1932+. 1927 @ 376 Orleans Ave., 383 Kathryn Pl., Akron & 681 19th St., Cuyahoga Falls; +1930-1932+: 1733 19th St., C.F.;
  • Harry Becker +1913+ (d. 1949)
  • Frank Becker +1946+. He served as a pallbearer that year for William P. Douglas' memorial service, as a brother representing the Akron assembly. See Assembly Annals 1946-6 and/or the Soper family.

Bercaw family

From +1936-1966, Joseph resided at 928 Bisson Ave., and served as a correspondent for AGH during this time.

• Joseph Bercaw +1936-1966+

Calderhead family

See Who's Who at Lincoln Heights Gospel Chapel (formerly the old Mansfield Gospel Hall) for a more detailed biography of the Calderhead family. Mansfield Gospel Hall, founded prior to 1936, had a division in 1948 when they rebranded as LHGC, and David transferred to AGH with some of his children, and Agnes stayed with other children in Mansfield until presumably the start of the newer Mansfield Gospel Hall founded about 1959 thru the preaching of Norman Crawford, Lorne McBain, etc.

Then it is assumed that David & Agnes reunited in co-founding the new MGH. Some of their descendants also assisted with the founding of Clyde Gospel Hall founded about 1958. David was commended to the Lord's work presumably while in Scotland, also in his time in Phillipsburg, New Jersey 1930-1931+, and definitely by the assembly in Asheville, North Carolina when he removed in 1940 to the old Mansfield Gospel Hall.

• David Octavius Calderhead 1948-1958? (b. 1897 Camnethan, Lanarkshire, Strathclyde, Scotland - d. 1980 Mansfield, OH), son of James Calderhead (b. 1860 Galston, Ayrshire, Strathclyde, Scot. - d. 1930 Larkhall, Strathclyde, Scot.) & Elizabeth Keer Borland Sharp-Calderhead (b. 1858 West Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire, Strathclyde, Scot. - d. 1930 Larkhall, Scot.).
• Agnes Morton McFarlane Calderhead (b. 1897 Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scot. - d. 1989 Mansfield, OH), daughter of John Ross McFarlane (b. 1872 Carluke, South Lanarkshire, Scot. - d. 1944 Hamilton, ON) & Christina Gray McLean McFarlane (b. 1875 Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, Scot. - d. 1925 Hamilton, ON).
  • Elizabeth "Betty" McFarlane Calderhead Hoffman 1948?+ (b. 1922 Larkhall, Scot. - d. 2019 Mansfield, OH).
  • James "Jim" Calderhead (b. 1925 Larkhall, Scot. - d. 2005 Mansfield, OH).
  • Peter Thomas McFarlane Calderhead lived in 1928 at Larkhall, Lanarkshire, Scotland, dying as an infant.
  • David McFarlane Calderhead 1948+? (b. 1937 Asheville, Buncombe, NC - d. 2011 Mansfield, OH). Wife (1959): Rowean N. Davis Calderhead, daughter of Bernard J. Davis.
  • Anna Jean Calderhead Cunningham 1948?+ (b. 1937 Asheville, NC - d. 2011 Bellaire, Harris, TX).
    • Laura Ann Cunningham (b. 1961 Akron, Summit, OH - d. 2022 Loveland, Larimer, CO).

Campbell family

WiS 1956-2: Fallen Asleep: "Our beloved and esteemed brother Ross Campbell, “went home” January 11th,, Details in next issue."

WiS 1956-3: F.A.: "Saints of this city and whole district lost a valuable counselor and friend in the homecall Jan. 11th, of dear Ross Campbell. Our brother was born in Ireland in 1884, saved at sixteen years of age, gathered with the saints at Carrick until coming to Philadelphia, Penna., when a young man and met with the Assembly there at 20th and Dickinson. He came to Akron Oct. 10th, 1913, and has been a valuable brother all through these years. His godly advice and shepherding marked him out as a worthy elder and the younger men left behind have a good example to follow thus and we bespeak for them God's blessing as they continue in the things which they have learned... 2 Tim. 3:14. Pray for his widow. Their home was open to many and hospitality was freely extended, to which many of us can testify. We count it a privilege to have known our beloved brother for more than 35 years, profiting by his counsel and friendship in the things of God. Three sons and one daughter should have our prayers."

• Ross Campbell 1913-1956 (1884-1956)

Edgar family

WiS 1939-1: Fallen Asleep: Akron, OH: "On Dec. 4. Mrs. Elizabeth Edgar went to be with Christ. Lived a quiet, consistent life. Bren. W. Ferguson and A. Douglas shared in the services held in the Gospel hall."

• Mrs. Elizabeth Edgar +1939 (d. 1939 Akron, OH).

Fouts family

WiS 1957-1: Our dear sister, Mrs. Fouts, Sr., “went home” Nov. 14th, aged 76, born again March 5, 1939 and in the Assembly since. Remember in prayer her daughter and three sons - she lived a quiet and commendable life.

• Mrs. Fouts, Sr. 1939-1957 (d. 1957 Akron, OH)

Hyslop family

AA 1946-12: With Christ: Akron, OH: "Mrs. Alex Hyslop passed into the presence of the Lord on August 4th at the age of 58 years. She was saved 45 years ago in Ayrshire, Scotland, came to this country in 1906, was identified with the Assemblies in Indiana and for the last 16 years at Akron, Ohio. She is survived by her husband, two daughters and four sons, all saved and in the assembly. Brethren R. McCracken, Steve Mick and Oswald MacLeod spoke seasonable words at the funeral service."

• Alex Hyslop
• Mrs. Alex Hyslop 1930-1946 (d. 1946)

Johnson family

• LOI 1945-2:
  • With the Lord: William B. Johnson: Our brother, a well known servant of the Lord, late of 927 Chalker St.,

Akron, Ohio, passed suddenly but peacefully into the Lord’s presence on Dec. 1, 1944. He had been in ill health for some years but had breakfast as usual, and while reading the scriptures with Mrs. Johnson, went home to be with Christ. Brethren W.P. Douglas and R.W. McCracken, both of Cleveland, spoke at the funeral service. We commend Mrs. Johnson to the prayers of the Lord’s people." Memorial officiated by W.P. Douglas.

• • W.P. Douglas, 2016 Brunswick Rd., E. Cleveland, OH: "Our aged brother nearing his 85th birthday is not able to move about much, but on occasions he can minister the word of God with freshness. He took part in the funeral service of brother W. B. Johnson of Akron, Ohio. Writing to a friend recently he said, "Few have had a longer race nor have been the recipient of greater care, thought and love of a gracious, forbearing and patient 'God, for as

long as I have been-now in my 68th year of grace. Surely I can say "Who is a pardoning God like Thee, Or whohas grace, so rich and free."

• • Widows of the Lord's Servants: "Honor widows that are widows indeed" (1 Tim. 5:3). Since we last published a list of widows of the Lord's servants in the issue of April 1944, four more sisters have been bereft of their husbands. This brings the list of sisters thus widowed in the past five years to 33.
    • Mrs. William Grierson, 4406 Greely St., Houston, TX: widowed 5-28-1944
    • Mrs. Ansley Goodwin, Pugwash Junction, Nova Scotia, Canada: widowed 8-4-1944
    • Mrs. Alfred Mace, c/o Mrs. Knutson, 3035 S.E. Aukeny St., Portland, OR: widowed 9-9-1944
    • Mrs. W.B. Johnson, 927 Chalker St., Akron, OH: 12-1-1944

• William B. Johnson +1944 (d. 1944 Akron, OH)
• Mrs. Johnson +1944-1945+

Klabunda family

• Albert P. Klabunda 1956+

Marshall family

WiS 1958-7: Fallen Asleep: "At the age of 94 our dear sister Mrs. Carrie B. Marshall “went home” May 21st. Saved through brother Bradford’s meetings here in 1931 — loved to read her Bible — the fruit of this seen in her daily life — even as death was approaching her cheery smile left an impression on the Doctor and nurses."

• Mrs. Carrie B. Marshall 1931-1958 (1894-1958)

Soper family

AA 1946-3: "With Christ: John Soper, 70, departed to be with Christ January 28th. Ho was saved and associated with the assembly in Akron for the past 48 years. He left his father's homo In Detroit, because his father continued to bring before him his need of God's salvation. A printer by trade, he camo to Akron and obtained employment in a large printing establishment. He had never seen such large machines, as they gave him to operate; and was looking in a puzzled way at the machine when a young man spoke to him and said “Let me set up that job for you” and at once he started John at work. After lunch he came again and set up the job and started the machine, and then kindly said to John Soper, “Young man are you a Christian?' The arrow of conviction entered bls soul as he answered, “No! I am not.” From that time on Dan Becker lost no opportunity in witnessing to Mr. Soper and as a lost guilty sinner be accepted Christ as his own personal Saviour; ho became associated with the assembly in Akron soon after and bore a good testimony. He loaves an aged widow, also a brother and sister. R.W. McCracken took the funeral services."

• John Soper 1898-1946 (1876-1946)

Webb family

Kenneth has served as a correspondent at AGH since 1992.

• Kenneth Webb +1992-current?

Welsh family

OR 1932-3: Gone Home: Akron, OH: "Mrs. Harley Welsh passed suddenly into the presence of the Lord January 9th. In fellowship here about thirteen years. Brethren Duncan and Becker spoke to a large company at the hall, and Brother White spoke at the grave. Prayer Is requested for the husband and the family of four children."

• Mrs. Harley Welsh 1919-1932 (d. 1932 Akron, OH)

Wright family

Thomas served as a correspondent at AGH from 1967-1991.

• Thomas Wright +1967-1991+

Sources

• 1904-2024 AAB's
• Ancestry.com
• Assembly Annals (AA): 1946-3&6; 1949-6
• Letters of Interest (LOI): 1945-2
• Our Record (OR): 1932-3&5
• Words in Season (WiS): 1939-1; 1956:1-3; 1957-1; 1958-7