Bertha (Christophel) and Clarence Lehman Scholarship Fund

Bertha Christophel and Clarence Lehman met during the 1906-1907 school year when they were both enrolled in the academy (high school) which was part of Goshen College at the time. After Clarence returned to Columbiana, Ohio where he assisted on his family’s farm, they kept in contact through correspondence and visits.   Bertha took the courses necessary to teach and she then taught for one year at the two-room school in Harrison Township, west of Goshen.  The school, two miles from her father’s farm, was the school where consecutive generations of the Christophel family had attended.  After that one year of teaching, she found that helping her parents on their farm suited her better.  When Clarence and Bertha married in 1916, Clarence moved from his home in Ohio and eventually purchased the Christophel farm.

Clarence was known as an excellent farmer.  He had a herd of registered pure-bred Holsteins and was active in the Indiana State Dairy Association.   Clarence served in several capacities at Yellow Creek Mennonite Church, including as Sunday School Superintendent. It was a bit unusual at the time for (Old) Mennonites, but he was interested in history and politics and even voted for Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Bertha, on the other hand, did not support FDR because he advocated the end of Prohibition!  As a couple they afforded each other autonomy:  He liked to travel, while she did not.  She ran her own egg and poultry business separate from the farm ledgers. She had a large garden and raised gladiolas of many colors which she sold at the farmers’ market. Extended family benefitted from her generous gifts of fresh eggs, chickens and produce. She was very active in the church women’s sewing circles and quilted extensively in support of Mennonite Central Committee and other missions. While busy with farm and church work, they also reared a family of three.

In time Bertha and Clarence were interested and caring grandparents.  They valued education. Evidence of this is that at last count, 13 of their descendants have studied at Goshen College and one great grandson teaches for the college.  Nine of the descendants who studied at the college met their spouses there or through college connections.

When their youngest child Wilma was born with developmental disabilities in 1929, there were not the resources or educational policies to help her thrive within the community.  That is the reason for designating this scholarship fund for students majoring in education who are working toward certification in special education.

Carol Lehman (granddaughter) and John Kampen