Rev. Freeley Rohrer, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Marion, was born near Dayton, Ohio, August 13, 1869. His grandfather, Samuel Rohrer, located in Ohio in 1838, being one of the earlier residents of the state. His ancestry was of Swiss origin, although his own birth occurred in Pennsylvania. He was of a thrifty nature, his exertions in the operation of a farm resulting in the acquisition of a handsome competence. A Lutheran in his religious life, he was active in the building and maintenance of the church of that denomination in the city of Dayton, in the vicinity of which his life was passed. He reached the ripe age of eighty-five, carrying to the grave the highest esteem of all who knew him.

        Samuel H., the father of Rev. Freeley Rohrer, was born on the old homestead in the same brick house in which his son was born, and which had been erected in an early day by his father. He chose for his life companion Miss Harriet Wiggim, daughter of John Wiggin, of Scotch-Irish ancestry and Irish birth, who came to the United States in the year 1818, when but six years of age, in company with his parents. He was married, in Miami county, Ohio, to Esther Dille, who was born in Virginia. After some years spent in Miami county he removed to Dayton where he was engaged in the manufacture of flour for some years, but is better recalled by the people of to-day as the superintendent of the work-house, having had charge of that institution for several years prior to his demise, at the age of sixty-eight years. When Freeley was a lad of fourteen his parents removed to the city of Dayton, his father embarking in the mercantile pursuits, with which he has retained more or less connection to the present, though he is now living retired, still retaining the old Rohrer homestead.

        Entering the Dayton schools at the age of fourteen, young Freeley continued attendence until he had completed the full high school course in the class of 1888. His standing was high, class honors being granted him. He soon after matriculated in Heidelberg University at Tiffin, from which he was graduated in the class of 1891, having completed the four years' course in three years. Standing fifth in a class of thirty a class distinction was accorded him here also. Having already made choice of a profession, he entered upon the special preparation in the systematic study of theology and philosophy in McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, finishing the course with the class of 1894. About the same time Heidelberg, his alma-mater, honored him with the degree of A. M. As a student he had preached during the latter part of his course to two congregations in Wisconsin, having begun his active public ministry in 1892. The license to preach was granted him by the Presbytery of Chicago May 1, 1893, the day of the opening of the World's Fair, his final ordination occurring at Paulding, Ohio, May the 8th, 1894, by the Presbytery of Maumee. His first regular charge as pastor was at Paulding, where he remained two and one-half years. His relations with the people at that place were most cordial, the spiritual life of the congregation being much developed and emphasized. The present handsome edifice was planned for, and suitable steps taken to begin the operations of building, committees arranged for, etc. The ideas suggested by him were embodied in the structure, and when it was completed he was asked to preach the dedicatory sermon, which he did on the 21st of May, 1899. November 1, 1896, he began his work at Marion, being now in the fifth year of his pastorate here.

        It is superfluous to say that his relations to the people of Marion are of the most cordial and harmonious nature, the personality of Mr. Rohrer being such that all are drawn unconsciously toward him, the sympathies, not only of the congregation but of the entire community, being enlisted in the progress of the work. His efforts to advance the growth and success of his parish have redounded in most satisfactory enlargement of the congregation and the strengthening of the general christian work in the city. An increase of upwards of one hundred members on the church books brings the membership up to about three hundred and fifty. A marked improvement is noticable in the growth in christian character and an enlarged interest in the incidental undertakings of the congregation. Among other local efforts established by Rev. Rohrer is an important mission Sunday-school in the west end of the city, in which are found more than three hundred pupils enrolled. The society owns its own building, and in every respect is in a most flourishing condition.

        The relation borne to the general work of the church by Mr. Rohrer is of an important nature, having been selected to serve as moderator of Muncie presbytery, a position that much strengthened his popularity with all the ministers of this field. He was chosen chairman of the Home mission committee of Muncie Presbytery and is secretary of the Home mission committee of the Synod of Indiana. These two important positions place him in the closest relation to the church throughout the state, and the work accomplished in this connection is well worth a careful retrospect. What is recognized as the "Indiana plan" has been in effective operation in the state for ten years with most satisfactory results. This simply contemplates carrying of the mission work in the state by the state itself, or rather that the Synod of Indiana should be self-sustaining rather than to be a burden on the general assembly. Twelve years since the state drew two thousand dollars from the general board to carry on the mission work, in addition to the three thousand raised by itself. In the year 1900 eleven thousand, five hundred dollars were raised for home work and sixteen thousand dollars set aside into an endowment fund, beside contributing to the general board over ten thousand dollars. In the ten years this plan has been in effective operation two hundred and twenty-eight thousand dollars have been raised within the synod, of which forty-one thousand dollars is in the endowment fund for future use in the same line of work. Ninety-six thousand dollars have been turned over to the general fund from the mission board, so that the Synod of Indiana has shown most astonishing strides, not only in becoming self-sustaining, but in the great assistance it has rendered to the mission work as conducted by the general board. These results have simply been attained on the part of the church in this state by the systematic and harmonious co-operation of the great majority of the ministers of the church, ably seconded by the congregations. This plan has produced large results in the presbytery, as well as in the synod, in that it has been extensively copied elsewhere, and seven of the eight presbyteries of the state are now self-sustaining against but two twelve years ago. At that time forty-three missionaries were employed and eighty-five churches received aid, where at the present there are seventy missionaries and one hundred and thirty-five churches are assisted. Salaries have been raised, an increase of twenty-seven thousand membership is shown in the state, and in many ways the wisdom of the plan of operation is indicated. Plans similar to the "Indiana plan" have been adopted in six other states, who have in consequence become self-sustaining, the work in each taking on new and vigorous life. The development of this work has drawn heavily upon the time and energy of Mr. Rohrer, not, however, to the detriment of his local undertakings which contemplate the adoption of features in church management that will largely tend to make the relations of the congregation and the general society of the city more intimate and cordial.

        Mr. Rohrer is actively identified with many of those social and fraternal societies that make better and more loyal citizenship. He is looked upon as a worker in the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor and in the Sons of Veterans, his connection there being based upon his father serving three years in the army and being a prisoner of war in Libby prison for some months.

        Mr. Rohrer was married, at Dayton, Ohio, June 27, 1894, to Miss Lillie A., daughter of David W. Miller, the well known superintendent of construction at the National Soldiers Home at that place. This lady received her education in the Dayton high school and in the normal school, and was a teacher in the public schools four years prior to her marriage. She has entered most harmoniously into the work of her husband, her pleasing personality making her services highly appreciated by all with whom she has come in contact. They have one son and one daughter: Robert William, aged six, and Dorothy Delight, an infant.

        Much of the effectiveness of the ministrations of Mr. Rohrer lies in the pleasing and powerful utterances in the pulpit, where he is at his best. He has little of the common affectation of the pulpit orator, but with an ease of delivery that adds to the strength of the discourse, carries the congregation with him, the result being the increase of popularity so well deserved. Mr. Rohrer holds to advanced views on all matters of religious growth and extension. He has little sympathy, however, with those thinkers whose attacks on the Bible through the so-called "higher criticism" would disarrange the entire system of accepted theology. His modification of the confession of faith would not eliminate any of the old and accepted doctrines but rather would simplify the statements that misconception of the true meaning might be avoided. He would also rewrite those time-tried articles, converting them into modern English, thus bringing them into closer touch with the life and expression of the twentieth century. He sees no need of a radical revision of creed such as would obliterate those old beliefs that gave so much comfort and consolation to our ancestors, believing them to be sufficient for the needs of modern people. Though adhering to the old beliefs and with no sympathy with the idea of radical modification of the teaching, he would so enlarge upon the actual work done that the relations of the church to the world would make the church more a factor in the life of the entire community.