Rev. Atvill Conner

From History of Frederick County. p. 1097-1098:

The Rev. Atvill Conner, pastor of the Manor Charge of the Reformed Church in the United States, son of Atvill and Catherine (Reeser) Conner, was born on his father’s farm in Washington County, Md., July 16, 1865.

Mr. Conner’s great-grandfather, William Conner, who was Irish by descent, was one of the early settlers of Virginia, where he spent his life in the cultivation of the soil. He married and lived to a good old age. Among his children was a son named James.

James Conner, grandfather of the Rev. Atvill Conner, was born on his father’s farm in Shenandoah County, Va., where his childhood and youth were spent. Be was a progressive and a successful farmer, worked hard and gave close attention to business, and was highly esteemed as a citizen. James Conner was married to Anna M. Hottle. Their children are: 1, Dorotha, deceased; 2, William, deceased; 3, John, deceased; 4, Morgan, deceased; 5, Evelin, deceased; 6, Atvill; 7, Polly; 8, Morgan; 9, Catherine; 10, James; 11, Rebecca; 12, Samuel. Mr. Conner was a member of the Methodist Church. His wife was a member of the Reformed Church. Both were active workers in the church.

Mr. Conner’s father, Atvill Conner, a retired farmer of Funkstown, Md., was born in Shenandoah County, Va., February 3, 1825. He attended the public schools of the district and remained at home until he reached his twenty-third year. For some time he was engaged in sawing of timber and farming, but finally devoted all his energies to farming. In 1864, Mr. Conner removed with his family to Washington County, Md. He had farmed for some time near Woodstock, Va., and now settled near Fairplay. Four years later, he removed to a farm one mile south of Hagerstown, which he cultivated successfully for some time. In 1883, he bought a farm of 132 acres, two miles southwest of Hagerstown, on the Williamsport pike. He improved this place in every way. In 1890, he retired from farming, and removed to his present home in Funkstown. Mr. Conner is one of the enterprising farmers of the county. His hard work and care have brought him a good reward. He is a Republican, and prominent among the old residents of Funkstown. Atvill Conner was married to Catherine, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Reeser; her father, who was a veteran of the War of 1812, was prominent among the old citizens of Shenandoah County, Va. Of their nine children, only four reached adult age. 1, Fannie R., married to Joseph Sigler, a farmer of Washington County, Md.; 2, Thomas B., a farmer residing in Kansas; 3, Cora V., widow of the late Joseph Harbaugh, a farmer of Washington County; 4, Atvill, Jr. Mr. Conner and his wife are stanch members of the Reformed Church in Funkstown, where he has held various offices. He is still active in church work. His wife died in July 1883.

Atvill Conner, Jr., attended the public schools of his native district, and graduated from the Hagerstown High School in 1884. After spending one year in Mercersburg College, at Mercersburg, he entered Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, Pa., and graduated from that institution in the class of 1889. Mr. Conner then entered the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., and after his graduation, was licensed by Maryland Classis. His first charge was the Glade Valley charge which included Walkersville and Woodsboro. He ministered faithfully to this people for six years and two months, and it was through his untiring efforts that the new church at Walkersville was built. In August, 1889, he was called to the Manor Charge, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of the Rev. Isaac Motter. This charge includes Trinity Reformed Church in Adamstown, St. Matthew’s on the Manor, and St. John’s, of Buckeystown. To all of these congregations he gave constant, loving care. The Rev. Mr. Conner frequently appears on the floor of the Synod of the Potomac. He is an efficient pastor, and owes his success to the untiring energy with which he works in the interest of his congregations.

On August 15, 1910, he resigned the pastor ate of this charge and accepted a call to St. Luke’s Mission, Baltimore, Md.

The Rev. Atvill Conner was married to Oda Neidig, daughter of George W. and Clara (Neidig) Stauffer, who belongs to one of the prominent families of Walkersville. Of their three children, only one survives, George Atvill. Mrs. Conner has a kind and loving disposition and by her devotion to church work has greatly assisted her husband in his labors.