USA > Indiana > Bartholomew County > History of Bartholomew County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc. : Together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 41
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25x50 feet, one story high, with a door in each end, and one in front. On either side of the front door were two windows, in the center of the rear wall, opposite the door, was the pulpit, in front of which and built into it, was the schoolmaster's desk. On either side of the pulpit were two windows corresponding to those in the front wall. After the building of the railroad it was moved from its old site and sold for $.182.
In 1829, Isaac N. Ellsbury, with John T. Johnson as assistant, were the preachers. The beloved John Strange again became Presiding Elder and remained such through the following year. In the following year Nathan Fairchild was employed as a supply. For some time he had been a noted local preacher. His education was limited, his studies having been confined chiefly to the Bible and Pollock's Course of Time, but his natural eloquence was truly great. He frequently held his audience in breathless attention, and such was the magnetic influence of his personality that he " moved the living mass as if he were its soul." IIe was more given to driving men into the Kingdom through the terrors of a literal hell vividly and terrifically portrayed than to coaxing them into it through a pleasing description of the joys that attend a Christian life and the delights of Heaven gained. He was considered the grandest exhorter of his time in this locality, and many now living can testify to his power.
Amos Sparks was in the next year appointed to the circuit. As Presiding Eller, James Havens succeeded John Strange. In 1832, the Indiana Conference formed and met at New Albany. Here Charles Bonner was appointed to the Columbus circuit; Allen Wiley, Presiding Elder. These were followed by Spencer W. Hunter, preacher, and James Ilavens, Presiding Elder. At this time efforts were made to build a parsonage at Columbus, W. Terrell, J. N. Love and J. B. Abbett, forming a committee to attend to the mat- ter, but permanent results were not accomplished. The next on the circuit were William II. Smith and Lewis Hurlbut, each serv- ing one year in the order named. During both years the Presiding Elder was Joseph Oglesby, whose successor was Samuel C. Cooper. In 1836, W. W. Hibben rode the circuit. At this time there was not a distinctly Methodist Church building in the county except at
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Carter's Chapel. In Columbus, prayer meetings were held at the houses of James N. Love and other members. As to Sabbath Schools, in which the churches of the county are now justly proud, there hal not been one established. During the year several ap- pointments were taken from this circuit and added to that of' Shelbyville, which to some extent lessened the arduous labors of the faithful and indefatigable circuit-riders. In that year Mr. Hib- ben preached 230 sermons, traveled 2, 100 miles, had 200 accessions to the church, and received $216-or the necessaries of life valued at that sum. The preaching places were: Columbus, Rev. J. A. Speer's, Jesse Evans', Love's school house, Sloan's school house, Herron's school house, Edinburg Chapel, Rev. Alfred Phelps', Isaac Marshall's, Jonathan Smith's, Shepard's, Carter's Chapel, Blackwell's, Wooley's school house, Robinson's school house, McGraw's, Thompson's, Nathan Lewis', Abraham Zeigler's, Van- arsdall's, Azolia, Price's, Swisher's, and Clark's. These were changed from time to time and added to as the growth of the pop- ulation made it necessary in order to preach to all who were willing to hear. The entire county was thoroughly worked.
· Next came James V. Watson, an eloquent and earnest preacher, with Constant B. Jones as assistant. Succeeding Watson were Miltiades Miller and Landy Havens, in 1838; George K. Hester and Draper Chipman, 1839; B. F. Griffith and Leander Forbes, 1840; Williamson Terrell and Thomas Spillman, 1841; John W. Mellender and James Templin, 1842; W. Terrell and Sanford Bot- tingall, 1843; Elijah Whitten and John C. Kelley, 1844; Landy Havens, 1845; Amos Bussey, 1846; Constant B. Jones, 1847; John W. Sullivan, 1848 and 1849. During this time the Presiding Elders were Augustus Eddy, one year; Henry S. Talbot, one year; John Miller, two years; James Havens, two years; Lucien W. Berry, two years, and Edward R. Ames, four years, or until 1850. In the summer of 1849, during the first year of his work on the circuit Mr. Sullivan started with his family to Wisconsin, intend- ing to enter the conference there. Before his destination was reached it was represented to the conference, by mistake, that the new-comer had ten children, which being considered too great a burden for the conference to assume, the applicant was denied
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admission. . Greatly disappointed, he made his way back to Colum- bus, and soon thereafter conducted one of the longest and most « successful revivals that the people of Columbus had, up to that time witnessed. At its close, the church and citizens of the town, regardless of denominational differences, petitioned the Bishop to make Columbus a station and appoint Mr. Sullivan as its pastor. Their prayer was granted, and this act marks an epoch in the his- tory of Methodism the county. All these early churches, ac- counts of which are given in the following pages, were supplied, up to this time, by the ministers who have thus far been named.
The minutes of the Indiana Conference were published for the first time in 1849, and the southeast Indiana Conference, in which Columbus now is, held its first meeting at Rushville in 1852. From 1850, for two years, Calvin W. Ruter was Presiding Elder; he was succeeded by James Havens, who continued for four years, this being about the last of that veteran's work. John W. Miller was appointed to the new station in 1850. When he came he found a congregation of 154 members holding its meetings in a church entirely too small for its needs. Ile was an energetic worker and at once urged the building of a new church, offering to personally aid in burning the necessary bricks. Elias H. Sabin, who was ap- pointed on the following year, continued to agitate the subject of building, and succeeded in raising considerable money for the pur- pose. Sampson Tincher, the next on the work, before the year was half gone, was forced by ill health to abandon active effort, and gave way to James S. Barnes. Mr. Tincher was re-appointed in 1853, and set to work with earnestness and determination to com- plete the new church, and in the spring of 1854, it was dedicated with appropriate and impressive ceremonies by Dr. W. M. Dailey. This church cost about $6,000, was of brick, of neat design, and ample for the needs of the congregation. A debt of $2,200 was incurred in its construction, which remaining unpaid, became a great burden and source of annoyance. A suit at law was threatened by the creditors, but the efforts of Elijah Whitten, pastor in I855, a very zealous, fervent and industrious man, Simeon Perry, Joshua Reynolds, Jacob Jones, William McEwen, and others, saved the property and for more than thirty years it served as a place of
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worship. When no longer needed as a church it was soll to Frank Crump for $5,000, and is now used as a livery stable.
In IS54, James Crawford was put on the circuit and made a very acceptable pastor. The exhorters were H. H. Wilson and Edwin Hollowell; the stewards, J. F. Jones, Lewis B. Leonard, S. C. Cavanaugh, Joshua Reynolds, William Singleton, William McEwen, Samuel J. Harris, and George W. Palmer. From 1856, named in the order of service with the length thereof in years in- dicated in figures, the pastors in charge have been: Hiram Gil- more, I; J. B. Lathrop, 2; John A. Brouse, I; Joseph Cotton, I; S. B. Falkinburg, 2; John S. Tevis, 2; Thomas H. Lynch, 2; W. W. Snyder, 2; L. G. Atkinson, 2; J. K. Pye, I; A. H. Reat, I; W. Harrison, I; J. Cotton, 3; C. Tinsley, 2; S. Tincher, 2; E. H. Wood, 2; R. D. Black, 2, and V. W. Tevis, the present pastor, now serving his third year. The Presiding Elders: T. H. Lynch, 3; F. C. Holliday, I; T. H. Lynch, I; John A. Brouse, I; Enoch G. Wood, I; Francis A. Hester, 2; E. G. Wood, I; S. Tincher, 3; E. G. Wood, 2; W. Terrell (died April 15, 1873, while serving second year, J. H. Martin filling out the time); E. L. Dolph, I; T. H. Lynch, 2; F. A. Hester, 4; G. P. Jenkins, 5; G. L. Cur- tis, 3; A. N. Marlatt, at present presiding.
the membership of the church did not reach 200 until 1870, and twice since that time it has fallen below that number. Since 1874 there has been a constant increase, more marked during the ministry of the present pastor than ever before. Mr. Tevis is a powerful and effective pulpit orator, being logical and convincing in argument, happy in the choice of illustrations, fervent and true in appeal, and possessing a vast fund of information on which he draws with the ease and skill characteristic of a trained intellect. His character is adorned with those manly attributes which every- where attract genuine friends, and consequently his popularity is not confined to the membership of the church in his charge. At the close of his last revival he had made 485 converts. At present the church membership numbers 725 -more than double the high- est number at any time prior to the commencement of his ministry. In the erection of the present church he has exhibited superior tact, business sagacity and executive ability. Beautiful in design, com-
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modious and substantial, it was erected at a cost of $25,000, and over it hangs no cloud of debt. June 12, 1887, with impressive ceremony, it was dedicated to the use of the Master of Bishops, by Bishop Thomas Bowman. The church also has a comfortable parsonage valued at $.1,000.
St. Louis M. E. Church .- This, the oldest Methodist Episco- pal church in the northeast part of the county, and parent to several other prosperous organizations, was organized in August, 1829, at Abraham Zeigler's house, by Lewis and Elizabeth Rominger, Eliz- abeth Williams, James Fortner, Fannie L. Holston, Abraham Zeig- ler, Charles W. Rominger and Mrs. Louderback. Zeigler's house continued a preaching place until 1837, when a log cabin was raised and dedicated in October of that year by Williamson Terrell. In 1849, anew house was erected, and dedicated in April, IS50, by E. R. Ames. During the dedicatory services the amount necessary to to pay for its construction, $1,250, was raised. The congregation, now numbering Iro, continues to use this building. Over one hundred children attend the Sabbath School; C. A. Reed, Super- intendent.
Hope M. E. Church was organized in 1854, by Rev. Ephraim Wright, with the following twelve members: G. W. Norman, class leader, Levina Norman, Alexander Cook, Polly Cook, Will- iam Miller and wife, Mrs. Jane Barme, Emanuel Snyder and wife, Harriet Cook, Rebecca Cook and Sarah Cook. The leader of this class and several of its members, are still faithful supporters of this church. God has prospered the society, giving it grace, and increasing its members until now 320 souls look to its altar as their place of worship. The first meetings were held in a small log school house that stood in the lot where Mrs. Trisler now lives; but with increased numbers a larger house was required, and in 1857, a frame church of ample size and neat design was dedicated to the Master's service, and there for thirty years the Word was preached. In 1887, at a cost of $8,000, a handsome brick edifice, capable of seating 725 people, was erected on Washington Street, near the corner of Ilarrison, and on October 23, of that year, was dedicated by Dr. J. H. Bayliss, assisted by Presiding Elder S. Tincher. Payment for this work was provided for without the incurrence of
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debt, principally through the work of Rev. W. W. Reynolds. The old church, still well preserved, will be used as a chapel after being removed from its present site to a lot near the new building. H. G. Solomon is Superintendent of the Sabbath School, which has an average attendance of about 200 children.
Newbern M. E. Church was organized about 1856. Among its early members were Alexander Kennedy, a local preacher, John Boyer, William McClintic, James C. Gant, Anderson Jones and David E. McCallie. The membership has grown to 120. Cap- tain George W. Wright, an excellent singer, has for many years been a good helper in this congregation. Soon after the organiza- tion a substantial frame church was erected, which is still used. It was recently remodeled and thoroughly repaired; and on February 5, 1888, was re-dedicated by Rev. W. W. Reynolds. The Sab- bath School, with an average attendance of about 100, is super- intended by D. E. McCallie.
The three churches last named constitute the Hope circuit. The St. Louis Church for many years was in the Columbus circuit, and from about 1844 to 1849, in the Auburn circuit. In 1850, it was called the St. Louis circuit, and this church was the recognized headquarters of the charge until 1864, when it was changed to the Hope circuit. In 1866 the work was divided, Hope and St. Louis being heads of distinct circuits. They were re-united in 1868, designated as Hope circuit, and so continue to the present. A . parsonage was located at St. Louis, in IS51; was sold in 1864 (the proceeds being invested in a parsonage at Hope) ; was re-pur- chased in 1866, and again sold in 1868. The parsonage is now at Hope. These churches have been frequently shifted from one dis- trict to another, but prior to 1855, they were generally in the same district; the Columbus church had the Presiding Elders, elsewhere named, in the early history of that society. The early preachers are also there named. Joseph McQueen, Uriah McQueen and James N. Love, were early local preachers at St. Louis; Louis Rominger and George W. Zeigler, were zealous and powerful ex- horters. When Columbus and St. Louis became separated in 1844, John C. Kelley was pastor at the latter place. After him came Landy Havens, Philip Berwick, J. V. R. Miller, Haydon
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Hays, George B. Taylor, D. P. Holmes, A. B. Shaw, Harmon Richardson, Thomas Crawford, Ephraim Wright, William Mont- gomery, William Ream, Samuel C. Noble, James Crawford, W. II. Muller, James Davidson, William Long, F. HI. Turk, David Stivers, William Maupin and Jacob Norton. In 1866, William Maupin was at Hope, and S. H. Whitmore, at St. Louis; in 1867, S. C. Noble, at Hope, and Samuel Longden, at St. Louis: and in the next year Mr. Longden had both charges. To complete the list for the first half century of the church's existence, may be named Thomas W. Jones, James Crawford, George W. Winches- ter, John P. Pell and William M. Grubbs. The circuit is now traveled by Rev. W. W. Reynolds, who in . ministry of ten years, has had 1,037 accessions to the churches in his charge, and has built, or radically repaired, nine church edifices. On this circuit, where he is now on his second year's work, he has had about 200 accessions. He was born September 6, 1845, near Brownstown, Indiana; was educated at the Illinois University, at Bloomington, in that State, where he was graduated in ISSo. His zeal and Christian spirit, are evidenced by his works.
Hartsville M. E. Church .- The society here was organ- ized about 1854, in the Baptist Church, with twelve members. Robert Powell and wife, James Powell, John Quinn, Levi Moore, William Smiley, William Black, Solomon Miller, Enoch Richmond and wife, and Elizabeth Alexander, were among the first members. John W. Winchester was the first minister and " Father " Country- man led the first class. The second leader was Thomas C. Fogle, long a faithful member. Among the early preachers were William Smith, Constant B. Jones, Jacob Miller, Charles Mapes, Nimrod Kerrick, Joseph Tarkington, James Crawford, Landy Havens, John S. Tevis, Milton Heath, and Lewis Dale. At first the meet- ings were held in the Baptist and Christian churches, the temper- ance hall, the college building, and at the homes of members, but about 1863, during the pastorate of William Maupin, a pious and energetic man, a substantial and commodious frame church was erected, costing about $1,500. The church also owns a neat par- sonage valued at $2,000. The present pastor is Rev. William Wykoff; the membership numbers eighty-five. The Sunday School
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with an average attendance of 125, is superintended by Me John Phillipy. This is the only church in the county now on the Hartsville circuit. 4
Carter's Chapel, located in Columbus Township on the cross- roads at Lowell Station, was organized by Rev. James Garner, in 1821. Its early members were: Elijah S. Carter, Mariah Carter, Nathan Carte, Elizabeth Carter, Joseph Bevis, Aaron Bevis, Sarah Moun: . William Lumbick, Sarah Lumbick, Benjamin F. Arnold, Matilda Arnold, Benjamin Piatt, Mary Fiddrick, Edia Arnold, Samuel Brown, Elizabeth Brown, Rebecca Ann Car- ter, Rebecca Bevis, Jamima Lumbiek, Rhoda Iliatt. Elijah Car- ter was the first class leader, and continued as such about thirty years. For many years this church was attached to the Columbus circuit, and afterward to the Taylorsville circuit. In early times the meetings were held at the houses of Nathan Carter, Samuel Mounts and others. At least fifty-five years ago a log church, the first Methodist church in the county, was raised just north of the present building and west of the grave-yard. On the same site, early in the 40's, a small frame church was built, which served the congregation till 1870, when a brick edifice, 40x45 feet, was erected at a cost of about $2,200, which was dedicated in 1871, by Revs. Sampson Tincher and Joseph Cotten. The mem- bership is now twenty-nine.
Bethel Church, located in Union Township, about two and a half miles west of Taylorsville, was organized in 1853 by Smith D. Jones, William Lightfoot and wife, Vincent Foster and wife Sarah, Thomas L. Jones and wife, Elijah Dyson and wife Ann, Elza Browning, wife Fanny, and daughters Sarah and Matilda, Katy A. Bevis and Mary Groves. A frame church, carly constructed by this society, was destroyed by fire in 1863, and rebuilt in 1866, at a cost of about $800. Present membership fifty-seven.
St. Louis Crossing Church .-- In 1863 a society was organized and a church built by the Presbyterians at this place. In 1871 the building was purchased by Henry Drake and presented to the Methodist congregation. The building up of the congregation was the work of Rev. James Crawford. Among the carly members were Henry Drake, Peter Shank, John Drake and their wives.
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One of the most important events in the history of this church was the revival conducted in IS87 by Rev. Daniel Ryan, in which he brought into the church 122 members. The present membership is 150. The Sunday School is also large: JI. Ferry, Superintendent.
Taylorsville M. E. Church was organized in 1833. Among the early active members were Dr. Bell, David Groves, Mary Groves, Thomas James, William Smith, George Baker, Robert Hobson, Richard Hendricks, Sarah Swisher, Samuel and lizabeth Brown. The Taylorsville congregation was organized in a log cabin, and for some time held its meetings at the homes of mem- bers. About IS50, a frame edifice, 36×46 feet, was erected at a cost of about $1,000. Present membership sixty-nine. Rev. W. C. Watkins has charge of the four last named churches, which, to- gether, constitute the Taylorsville circuit.
Clifford M. E. Church .- As early as 1850 Hawpatch Chapel, on the road to Columbus from Clifford, about two and one-half miles from the latter place, was the meeting house of a goodly number of the leading farmers in that section. About 1865, a Methodist society was formed at Clifford into which the Hlaw- patch society was merged. The first class was composed of about fifteen members, among whom were Johnson Joiner, leader; Frank Miller, Elmira Barb and W. L. Linke. The first preacher was Rev. J. S. Reager, and subsequently those best remembered were J. C. White and J. C. McCaw. About 1858, an independent church building was erected in Clifford, the United Brethren hay- ing preference in its use. It still stands in the east part of the vil- lage and is used by the New Light Christians. In this church the Methodist Episcopal class was organized, and here in the town- ship hall its meetings were held until 1879, when, at a cost of about $1,000, a neat frame church, 36x50 feet, was erected in the west part of the village. The church is very prosperous, having 165 members. Its Sunday School has an average attendance of fifty, with Julian P. Morton as Superintendent.
Petersville M. E. Church .- Over fifty years ago, Clifty Church was built on Clifty Creek, near the present site of Petersville. Among its early members were Dr. H. B. Roland, John Singleton, Asa IIunt, Jesse Davis and their wives. The society moved to
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Petersville about 1867 or ISGS, and erected a frame church, 25x40 feet, selling the old house to Peter Blessing. Rev. Samuel Long- den was instrumental in building the new church. Mrs. Jennette Burnett has been a faithful member for many years, coming with the society from old Clifty. Present membership 150. The Sun- day School has an average attendance of about seventy-five, with Dr. F. Norton as Superintendent:
Burnsville M. E. Church was organized about 1832. Wesley White and James Thomas were among the carly class leaders, and one of the first preachers here was Williamson Terrell. About IS58, the church built a frame meeting house, comfortable and of moderate size. The society was weak for many years prior to the pastorate of Daniel Ryan, but now has seventy-five members.
Trinity, located in Clay Township, about two and one-half miles southeast of Petersville, was organized in 1885, through the work of Rev. Edward Lyons. Those instrumental in organizing and supporting the church were Henry Glick and family, Peter Glick and wife, Frank New and wife, James Collier and family, Lyman Boyer and wife, E. B. Newby and family, Sylvanus Glick and wife, William Ross and wife, and many others equally as de- voted. The congregation uses a church built by the Lutherans, which was recently removed and rebuilt. Present membership about 100. The Sunday School has an average attendance of about fifty, with P. Glick, Superintendent.
The four churches last named constitute the Clifford circuit, and are under the charge of Rev. Daniel Ryan, a faithful and suc- cessful worker. He is now on his second year's work in this county, and has had nearly 500 accessions; and all the churches in his charge have been repaired at considerable expense without in- curring debt.
Azalia M. E. Church was organized about the year 1836, by Rev. W. W. Hibben. Williamson Terrell and J. B. Abbett were among its early preachers. Its first class leader was Samuel Baker. The oldest member now is Washington Polen, whose name has been identified with the history of the church since August, 1838. The first meetings were held in a log school house; but in IS40, a hewed log building was raised which served the congrega-
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tion until the early part of the 70's, when a frame house, 36x jo feet, .costing $Soo, was erected on the site of the old church. The membership now numbers eighty-three.
Jonesville M. E. Church was organized about the year 1840, by William Prather, W. her G. Prather, John Clive and oth- ers. The society had no fixed place of worship for a period of more than ten years, but in 1853, built a large frame structure which has since been remodeled. Present membership forty-five.
Walesboro M. E. Church was organized in the latter part of the 40's by Reuben Cisler and wife, Milton Keller, John Walker, Will- iam Kennard and wife, Joseph Stanley and others. In I858, the society erected a neat frame church, of ample size for the congre- gation, which is still used. Present membership forty-five.
Elizabethtown M. E. Church was organized about the year 1850. The early members prominent in church work were R. H. Wilber, James Newsom, Richard Newsom, Jacob Seibert, Thomas Norton and Peter Gwinn. Rev. Boone was the first min- ister. The church was built in 1854 by Enoch Harrison. It is 42x60 feet, and cost about $900. Its congregation now numbers 138.
The four churches last named are in the Jonesville Circuit, and are now in charge of Rev. J. L. Perry. Among the carly preach- ers remembered by these congregations were Revs. Maupin, Puett, Carter, Conner, Bright, Potts, Rossin and Beswick. The early records of this circuit have been lost and many facts connected with its early history are not ascertainable.
New Zion, in Harrison Township, was established as a mission church soon after the settlement of the country round about it. For several years preaching was had at the houses of Samuel Thompson, John Cooper and others; then at Smith's school house. The early members were: James Sims, Samuel Thompson, Thomas McConnell, Joseph Mitchell, Moses Cooper, John Cooper, John M. Polan, William Lucky, Reece Schwartwood, Nelson Fitch, and John Linson. Mrs. Clara C. Cooper is one of the oldest members of the church, and has been prominently identified with its history from its formation. About 1850, a hewed log building was erected, which served the congregation until 1882, when it was replaced by a frame structure, 36x40, costing about $700; Benjamin De Vore
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