Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 5 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 5

When we meet a man, in this busy world of today, who has given his time and money unstintedly to the betterment of mankind, we feel that no praise can be too great for such an example of unselfish benevolence. Rev. Cornelius E. Kliewer, founder of Emanuel German Baptist Church in Fresno, lives solely to help his fellow men, and his unusual success as a missionary is due to the sincerity and understanding sympathy shown in his work in the Master's vineyard. Born in Warsaw, Poland, May 25, 1856, he received his education in private schools of his native land. In 1876 he came to America, and six months later declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States. He was ordained at Hillsboro, Kans., in 1893, in the German Baptist Church. His first charge was at Newton, Kans., where he erected a church and served for two years. In 1898 he came to Stafford, Ore., remained there six months, and thence went to Salem, Ore., where he remained four years; in these places, as elsewhere, his missionary duties were carried on with a zeal which has never failed to meet with success. Rev. Kliewer then went to Tacoma, Wash., and served in that city five years, building the church there and leaving it free of debt. He also had a preaching station at Seattle, and did missionary work in the northern metropolis.

In 1903, Rev. Kliewer came to California, his first charge in the state being at Anaheim, Orange County, where he was pastor three years. This concluded his fourteen years of service as a missionary of the Baptist Home Missionary Society, and he retired from active church work for a time, and located in Long Beach, where he engaged in buying, selling and building, meeting with success, and never failing to devote much time to church work, though not having a public charge.

After several years spent in quietly doing the work which came to hand. Rev. Kliewer again took up his public duties. In 1907 he came to Fresno and here he built the Emanuel German Baptist Church, at 2203 Kirk Avenue, at a cost of $2,000, taking his own money for the immediate building of the church, which is now free of debt, the pastor having donated $600 as his share of the cost of the edifice. The church has 47 communicants, with about 150 members, including the children, for whom he has organized a Young People's Society with 30 members: and his wife, who has been of great help to the pastor in his life work and leads the choir in the church, has recently organized the Ladies' Aid Society. She has accomplished much noble work, having been especially active in Tacoma, and in Salem, Ore., as well as, at present, in Fresno. Rev. Kliewer organized the Mission Sunday School here and later turned that work over to the German Methodist Church. He uses his own automobile in doing missionary work, and in taking the sick to hospitals; he also does missionary work in the Russian colony on the west side. His church contributes to all public charities, and is prominent in all missionary work in the city. Rev. Kliewer receives no salary for his services, donating his time and money for the good cause. He is a member of the Ministerial Union of the San Joaquin Baptist Conference of Northern California, and helped to organize the Pacific Baptist Conference on the Coast, and is also a member of the general ministerial union in Fresno. He takes an active part in revival meetings in Fresno and can always be found at hand when the spiritual uplift of the community is being undertaken, as well as when the material needs of unfortunate humanity are at stake.

When not busy with church and missionary duties, Rev. Kliewer has helped in the upbuilding of Fresno, buying lots and improving same for sale, and has met with success in his business ventures.

Rev. Kliewer was united in marriage, at Bethany, Ore., December 17, 1893, with Miss Mary Walter, a native of Germany, and his Christian work has been upheld by her sympathy and devotion to the cause. Three children have blessed their union: Walter, who died when four months old; Lorena, wife of Alex Ramer of Fresno; and Elmer, attending school. Rev. Kliewer has five sons by a former marriage: Henry; Herbert; Cornelius; Edward; and Harry.

Rev. Kliewer took a firm and uncompromising stand against the liquor traffic, from the early stages of the fight against alcohol. He was the only minister among the German speaking contingent in Fresno, who openly took part in public demonstrations against the saloon. He has been fighting rum ever since he was converted, at Hillsboro, Kans., when he joined the Baptist denomination. At times his uncompromising stand has made him enemies, but all true Christians will approve.