The name from a stained glass window for this month is Jacob F. Rickenbrode who was born in 1826 in Pine Grove, Venango County, Pennsylvania. While living in Pine Grove he was married to Mary Schwab “A noble Christian woman”. The Rickenbrodes had nine children. Mr. Rickenbrode was by occupation a miller and lumber man until 1865 when he moved to Westfield and became a farmer. In 1870 he moved to Ripley and continued farming until 1886 when he retired and returned to Westfield. Mr. Rickenbrode was often heard to say that he gave his heart to God and his name to the church when he was fifteen years old. He served in some official capacity all the years he lived in Westfield. He was class leader at the time of his death in 1907. He helped erect our present building, held the position of trustee and gave largely of his time and means to assist in that enterprise.
A few days before his death in 1907 Jacob Rickenbrode said the best financial investment that he ever made was the money he had invested in his church – that investment would continue through time and eternity.
* Reprinted with permission