This very interesting Bluffton photo needs some background.

Taken in the 1914-15 school year, this Bluffton College student group called themselves “Student Volunteers.” It turns out that members of this group intended to enter the Christian mission field upon graduating from college.

Here’s who they are and some of their family connections to Bluffton today:

Top from left, H.W. Berky (faculty advisor), Floyd Pannabecker, Lloyd Pannabecker and Walter Niswander.

Seated from left, Metta Lehman Dean, Jennie Gottshall Boehr, Nettie Moser Martin and May Carolus Crouse.

At the bottom is Sylvia Tschantz Pannabecker (who later married Floyd Pannabecker).

From Jan Emmert about Walter Niswander:

Walter David Niswander (1889-1969), was son of Peter M. Neuenschwander and Mary Zehrbach. He was born in Richland Township, and in the 1930 census was living in Ada. He was married to Edna Kimmel, and had a son, Kenneth Niswander, born around 1925.

From Mary Ann Moser about Nellie Moser Martin:

Nellie Moser Martin was Ezra Moser’s oldest sister and Paul Martin's mother.  She was May Day Queen and a missionary in Brazil.  She is a great aunt to Chris and Dave Moser.

From Richard Boehr about Jennie Gottshall Boehr:

Jennie was distantly related to the Boehrs in Bluffton. In addition, Richard's father, John Boehr, was a younger brother of Lena Moser, Ezra's wife.

From Alice Ruth Ramseyer:

In addition to her parents (Floyd and Sylvia Pannabecker), her Uncle Lloyd, Jennie Boehr and Metta Dean each became missionaries in China.

Don Pannabecker is the son of Lloyd Pannabecker.

Mary Pannabecker Steiner is the granddaughter of Floyd and Sylvia Pannabecker.

Hans Houshower is the grandson of H.W. Berky.