 Tillman Mahlon (T.M.) and Lizzie (Hess) Erb family, 1915. Standing: Amy, Allen, Ruth, Jacob, Anna, Paul. Seated: Lizzie, Leah, T.M., Tillman, Jr., Mabel. T.M., son of Jacob and Leah, was 19 when he arrived in Kansas with his parents. He was the principal founder of Hesston Academy and Bible School, and served as business manager until he died in 1929. Lizzie was the sister of A.L. Hess, another founder. |
 Jacob and Leah Erb migrated to Harvey County in 1885 from Lancaster County, Pa. Jacob was the first deacon of the Pennsylvania Mennonite Church, ordained in 1886. Leah, considered saintly, lived to the age of 97 in 1939. |
 Abraham Lincoln (A. L.) and Anna (Pfautz) Hess Family, 1918. Standing: Claude, Jennie, Abraham, Elmer, Grace, Ira. Seated: Anna, Helen, A. L., Mary. From Lancaster County, Pa., they arrived in Kansas in 1884. This city of Hesston was named for A. L. and his brother Amos. |
 A.L. and Anna were married in 1883 near Ephrata, Pa. Four Hess siblings and two Pfautz siblings also moved to Harvey County. |
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| Moses M. and Mariah (Hess) Weaver Family. Standing: Harry, Grace, John, Lottie, Albert. Seated: Earl, Mariah, Mose, Edwin. Mose came to Harvey County at age 12 with his parents David and Anna (Musser) Weaver. Mose served on the first executive commitee which established Hesston Academy and Bible School in 1909. |
David Weaver sold the Weaverland family farm in Lancaster County in 1878, and with his wife, Anna Musser Weaver, and family relocated in Harvey County in 1880. In 1886 he was ordained the first minister for the Pennsylvania Mennonite Church. |
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| J.D. (John Denlinger) and Amelia (Charles) Charles Family. The first to be hired by President Bender, Charles taught science and became the first dean of the college. He had a passion for the natural sciences having been inspired by Dr. H. Justin Roddy at Millersville Normal School. J.D. was a scholar who set the standard for academic integrity at Hesston College. |
While teaching at Hesston, he earned a master's degree from Columbia University. He died an early death of cancer in 1923 at age 45. |
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