Notes for Sylvanus Charles BREYFOGEL

Family History Pages

Thank you for visiting our family history pages, are you in some way connected to this family group? We'd like to include your family history and you are invited to submit you data by e-mail . We also accept information submitted by postal mail, please contact us by e-mail for the appropriate mailing address.

Ancestorial Home Page

Notes for Sylvanus Charles BREYFOGEL

Rev. Sylvanus C. Breyfogel is living at 518 Elm, Reading, PA.

SOURCE: 1887, 1888, & 1889 Reading, PA City Directory

Rev. Sylvanus C. Breyfogel is living at 333 North 9th, Reading, PA.

SOURCE: 1890 Reading, PA City Directory

Sylvanus and Kate are living in Reading, PA where he is recorded as being a bishop. There 4-daughters and 1-son are living with them on Fifth Street.

SOURCE: 1900 Federal Census Reading, Berks, PA

In 1901 Sylvanus received the degree of Doctor of Dicinity from Otterbein University; and in 1909 the degree of Doctor of Laws from the Ohio Norhtern University.

SOURCE: Unknown

Rt. Rev. Sylvanus C. Breyfogel, who is one of the four bishops who preside over the twenty-five conferences of the Evangelical Association, is a man of high moral character, superior natural ability and refinement, and of a kind and charitable disposition, thereby holding a high position in the confidence and affection of the people wherever he is known. He avails himself of every opportunity to reach the people, not to satisfy an ambition for personal notoriety or gain, but in order to bring them into closer touch with the great and good work which he so ably represents, and it is a fact conceded by all, that no man ever rendered more valuable service to the cause than he. Bishop Breyfogel comes from a prominent old Berks county family, of German descent, that for five generations back has resided in this country. He is a son of Rev. Seneca and Sarah (Ely) Breyfogel, and was born July 20, 1851, near Pleasantville, Oley township, Berks County [PA].

His great-grandfather was Solomon B. Breyfogel, who located upon a farm in Maxatawny township, Berks County, where he was engaged in the cultivation of the soil the remainder of his days. Upon that estate was born George B. Breyfogel, the grandfather of our subject, but he subsequently moved to Oley township, and finally to Reading, which was his home at the time of his demise. He, too, was an agriculturist by vocation and was a prosperous man and dutiful citizen.

Rev. Seneca Breyfogel, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Maxatawny township, and attended an academy of Kutztown, where he obtained a good education. He then embarked in the coal business at Reading, which he conducted with much success for some years, but upon discovering latent talents for the ministry and having a desire in that direction, he relinquished that business and prepared himself for his new field of labor. He was identified with the Evangelical Association, his first charge being a circuit in Eastern Pennsylvania. Being a devout Christian and an earnest and convincing speaker, it was but a short time before he was called to larger fields, and during his long and active ministerial career he filled the following charges, which were among the best in the eastern section of the state: Norristown, Port Carbon, Tamaqua, and Easton. He placed a high ideal on manhood, was a leader in his teachings, and, being a logical thinker and a fluent talker, very convincing in style. He possessed a rare gift, the ability to illustrate his arguments by figures of speech, a method which always leaves an imprint upon the mind of the hearer. He continued in church work until his death, and mainly through his efforts many new churches were erected in different sections of the state, for he pssessed the confidence of the people to a marked degree. He excelled as an orator, and being a man of quick wit he could hold his own in a debate with the best, his quickness of perception stand him in good stead in the answering of arguments. He was united in the hold bonds of wedlock with Sarah Ely, and their happy union resulted in the birth of four children, two of whom are living at the present time, namely Sylvanus C., our subject; and Ellen, the wife of James H. Miller, a book dealer in Reading.

Bishop Breyfogel was reared in Reading, and for a time attended the common schools of that city, after which he entered the Central Pennsylvania College, and afterwards took a course of study in theology. He was given a license to preach in February, 1873, and two years later was ordained a deacon; in February, 1877, he was elevated to the rank of elder. His first charge was at Barnesville and Coaldale, Schuylkill county: thence he moved to Bath, Northampton county, thence to Easton. From the latter city he went to Philadelphia and remained until his removal to Reading, where he filled the pulpit in the Emmanuel Church of the Evangelical Association on Sixth street. In 1886, he was elected to the office of presiding elder, in which capacity he served the Allentown District and also the Reading District, at the same time officiating as pastor of the Ebenezer Church on Ninth street in the city of Reading. By the time Bishop Breyfogel's name was of considerable prominence as a champion of Christianity and the Evangelical Association, and in recognition of his valued services and for the future good of the denomination, he was elected bishop, being one of the four in the Untied States, Europe and Asia. He is a man of great executive ability, and his knowledge of parliamentary law is almost unlimited. During his term of incumbency in this office he has traveled extensively throughout Japan, Germany, Switzerland, and other European countries. He is a good linguist, speaking both the German and English languages fluently, and often lecturing in either language. He has devoted much time to the cultivation of his mind and in keeping abreast of the times, although his duties are very confining. He is president of the Evangelical School of Theology, whose object is to give the ministers of the church information and culture, the different departments being under the competent educators, thus stimulating continuous study in the advanced lines of theological science. The departments of Doctrine, Church Government, and Parliamentary Law are under the charge of our subject, who has proven himself an authority upon such subjects. He is also in the head of the Evangelical Bible School, whose design is to stimulate the study of the Bible by the laity, which is largely patronized, he is a ready writer, and a number of Biblical works have been the result of his literary efforts, all of which are meritorious works and widely read. Among the most prominent may be mentioned the following: Evangelical Landmarks," "The Polity of the Evangelical Association," and "Great Sermons by Great Preachers." For a time he was the editor of The Preacher's Assistant, a publication in connection with the church, which made its connection with the church, which made it appearance monthly. He is also one of a committee of three appointed by the Evangelical Association in control of publishing in connection with the church.

May 8, 1877, Bishop Breyfogel was joined in hymeneal bonds with Kate E. Boas, a daughter of F. G. Boas of Reading, and they are the proud parents of the following offspring: Esther C.; Emily B.; Miriam S.; Frank Seneca; and Marguerite R. Our subject takes the greatest of pleasure in the society of his family, in which his greatest happiness has been realized. Mrs. Breyfogel is a true Christian woman of high character, devoted companion and help-meet, and a kind, loving mother.

SOURCE: Berks County Book of Biographies

SOURCE: The Breyfogle Genealogy, Flora Breyfogle Grumman, About 1909, Page 7 & 8

Evangelical conference

Milwaukee, Oct. 12. - Rev. S. P Strong of Cleveland, O., editor of the Evangelical Messenger, was elected bishop at the Evangelical conference here. S. C. Breyfogle, Reading, Pa.: Thomas Bowman, Allentown, Pa., and William Holmes, Cleveland, O., were re-elected bishops.

SOURCE: Marion Daily Star, Marion, OH, October 12, 1907

Sylvanus, his wife Kate and their children Emily, Marguerite, and Charles are living in Reading, PA where he is working as a clergyman for the Evangelical Church. Kate's maiden name was Boas and there is a family group a few houses before the Breyfogel's that records a 79 year old widow, Rosa Boas and her two adult daughters. It does not appear that this family group is Kate's family as other earlier census data does not show her name with the family.

SOURCE: 1910 Federal Census Reading, Berks, PA

Sylvanus and Kate are living on Center Avenue in Reading, PA. He is listed as the Bishop of a church and two daughters Emily and Marguerite and son Charles are living with them.

SOURCE: 1920 Federal Census Reading, Berks, PA

Sylvanus is living on Central Avenue in Reading, PA with his daughter Emily. It is assumed that his wife Kate passed away prior to this census period. Sylvanus is listed as clergy with the Evangelical Church.

SOURCE: 1930 Federal Census Reading, Berks, PA

1851 - Sylvanus C. Breyfogel, bishop of the Evangelical church, college head, born at Reading, Pa. Died in Philadelphia, Nov. 24, 1934

SOURCE: Chronicle Telegram, Elyria, OH, July 20, 1935

eading, Berks, PA provided middle initial

| HOME | EMAIL | SURNAMES |

In an effort to save space on this web site we have abbreviated the source information to the barest minimum. In many cases our source information is available in Word documents or other electronic files as well as links to other web sites. If you would like a complete source list on an individual please let us know and we will be happy to e-mail it to you. We would also be happy to share a complete GEDCOM file as well.

Ancestorial Home Page

This page is sponsored by www.breyfogle.com and all information, presentation, and graphics are considered the property of it's authors.