Daniel and Margaret Hoch Source: Mennonite Archives of Ontario (1990-12.16); photography by G. F. Maitland

Daniel Hoch (High), born 24 August 1805, was the son of Daniel Hoch and Katharine (Bechtel) Hoch. Daniel was married to Margaret Kratz (23 February 1808 - 13 April 1875). Daniel Hoch lived near Vineland, Lincoln County, Ontario. In 1831 he was chosen as minister in the local Mennonite Church (MC) congregation and in the following years became leader of a prayer-meeting group in his church which emphasized the use of the mourners' bench, immersion, open communion, true repentance, and holiness. A division between his party and the church resulted in 1848. Hoch was ordained by John H. Oberholtzer as bishop in 1851 and from 1853 on was engaged in itinerant work among scattered congregations. He was active in early union efforts among Mennonites. Hoch helped to organize the Ohio and Canada West Mennonite Conference and served as chairperson of the second conference of the General Conference Mennonite Church, held in Wadsworth, Ohio in May 1861. After 1869, Hoch and his churches withdrew from the General Conference and apparently were drawn into the "New Mennonite" movement in Ontario, which was one of the parties that eventually produced the Mennonite Brethren in Christ. Hoch died 13 August 1878.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, p. 770. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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