The Founders

Rev. David W. Thornberry - Born in Castle Caulfield, Northern Ireland in 1868, Rev. Thornberry came to the United States at the age of 20. He received his B.A. from Kenyon College. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1899. A true champion and a man with the utmost integrity. With “God’s guiding hand” he was able to draw those necessary to work together with him to realize his vision for a church in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Rev. Thornberry remained Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church until 1905.

Augustus Beyer - Mr. Beyer graduated from Kenyon College in 1848. He was in the rolling mill business at New Philadelphia for forty years. He continued the rolling mill business at Cambridge, Ohio, for ten years, then sold his interests to the U.S. Steel Co. in 1890. Mr. Beyer organized the Beyer Electric Light and Power Company in New Philadelphia and the Electric Light Company in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Mr. Beyer also became President of the Ypsilanti Savings Bank.

Arthur W. Brown - Mr. Brown was nephew of August Beyer, and former superintendent of coal mines in New Philadelphia area. In 1893, he erected the steel mill with Mr. Beyer in Cambridge. Finally, Mr. Brown became founder and President of the Ludowici-Celedon Tile Company of Chicago.