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 43
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Rev. Edward Martinoric, better known as Father Martin, was pastor from 1855 to IS63. He was æsthetic in his tastes, a great
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friend to children, and kind to all. He was generous to a fault, of ten giving away his traveling fare and walking home, ten miles, carrying his carpet sack. The war distressed him, and in 1863 he obtained permission to return to Europe. When last heard from he was in Rome, and it is supposed that he sechided himself in some monastery of his country. His friends speak of him as " Good Father Martin," and one of them says he was too good to do good. Rev. Francis Gousse, Rev. Joseph Petit, and Rev. W. H. Orem were pastors in charge from 1863 to 1868.
Father Orem was a convert to the church, able, eloquent, and a zealous worker. Motives of a filial nature prompted him to ask that his field of labor be changed, and he was transfered to the Diocese of Newark, New Jersey. From 1868 to 1885, Rev. Vic- tor A. Schnell was the popular and beloved pastor. He was a con- scientious and zealous clergyman, charitable to all and beloved by all who knew him. He was born in Loraine in 1842, and came with his parents to Indiana in 1852, was educated at St. Meinrads, in Spencer County, and was ordained as a priest September 22, 1868. He was succeeded in 1885, by Rev. Andrew Oster, the present pas- tor, an energetic and wise manager, a faithful and conscientious worker, and beloved by all. He has received ten into the church, has ; id a debt of about $1,000, and has raised $1,700 for the fund for building a new church. Definite plans in this regard have not been made, but it is hoped to build a suitable edifice early in ISS9. I new cemetery, Garland Brook, containing seven acres, situated east of the city, has been purchased during his pastorate. Father Oster was born in the Province of Alsace, February 23, 1852, pur- sued his studies at Strasburg, came to Indiana in 1873, completed his theological study at Indianapolis, and was ordained a priest May 25, 1875.
St. John's Church, at Mt. Erin, in Nineveh Township, has always been attended by the priest stationed at Columbus. It now has about twelve or fifteen families. The congregation was formerly larger than now. The church was built in 1855, of logs, with a frame extension.
At Taylorsville, where formerly there were a number of Catho- lic families, but one remains. They have had no church building,
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meetings being held about once a year. Father Oster has never said mass there.
United Brethren- The first church of this denomination or- ganized in the county, was in 1826 or 1827, at Newbern, by Revs. Aaron Davis and Aaron Farmer. John Lawrence and M. M. Hook were other early preachers at this church, and among the more prominent who followed in later years were, Revs. John Riley, J. L. Stearns, J. M. Dosh, Jacob Antrim, J. W. Dougherty, Daniel Shuck, H. Floyd, Thomas Elrod, W. L. DeMunbrun, and Noah Elrod; Rev. David Clark is the present minister in charge. The early members were Richard Davis, Ransom Davis, Aaron Davis, John Edwards, John Davis, M. M. Hook and their wives ; of these Mrs. Ed- wards still remains, a faithfuland devoted member. A plain, comfort- able frame church about 30x40 feet, was erected about 1838 and is still used. Mt. Pleasant, in Clifty Township, three miles south of IJarts- ville, was organized as early as 1843, at the house of John Rohrer, probably by Rev. Peter Gray. A number of families from Ohio, chiefly New Light Christians, settled in Decatur County near the borders of this county, and through the preaching of Aaron Farmer, Aaron Davis, John G. Eckees, and others, were converted to the faith of the United Brethren. Rohrer's house was in Decatur County, but the church, a neat frame structure, was erected on the soil of this county, soon after the organization was effected. John Rohrer was the leader in establishing the church. His wife, his sons, Martin and John, and his daughters, Magdalen and Solome, were members, and such was his zeal that he provided all the money used in building the church, and donated one hundred days of his own labor to its construction. Solomon Dillman, Henry De Witt, William Smith, Enos Woodruff and their wives were other mem- bers of the first class. Beside the early preachers named, others who have ministered to this congregation are, Revs. Joseph Stearns, J. A. Ball, John Smith, Daniel Shuck, David Shuck, Amos Hanaway, Caleb Witt, Amos Day, and James Crow. Through deaths and re- movals the society was much decreased in numbers, when, about six years ago, through the effective work of Rev. Asbury Myer, the church was revived and put in a prosperous condition. The meeting house was remodeled some years ago at a cost of $600. The work
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was done chiefly through the instrumentality of Simeon Rohrer and William Smith, and when completed the building was re-dedicated « by Rev. Daniel Shuck. Rev. Alonzo Myer is now pastor in charge; the membership numbers about forty.
In 1847 or 1818, at Hartsville , a small class of the Brethren was formed, its members principally belonging to other societies. Rev. William A. Cardwell was probably the first preacher here, but the main ingathering was effected by the united efforts of Rev. David Shuck and J. M. Johnson. A frame building, now in the center of the public square, at Hartsville, had been erected by John R. Mor- ledge and other citizens, and was offered to the society at Bethel, Decatur County, for school purposes on certain conditions, to in- duce their removal to Hartsville, which occurred about 1853. For this reason this society has ever been considered an offspring of that at Bethel. The early meetings were held in the frame school house, and subsequently in the college buildings, particularly men- tioned in another chapter. Other early preachers than those named were: Revs. Daniel Shuck, Thomas J. Conner, Alexander Long, Lyman Chittenden, Thomas Elrod, and Noah Elrod. Among those of later years, the more prominent were: Revs. Caleb B. Witt, Jacob Scammahorn, Milton Wright, and B. F. Morgan. Rev. D. A. Wynegar is now in charge. The early members who came from Bethel were Philip Fix, David, John and Elias Huffer, A. C. Chamberlain, their wives, and George Youngman and others. This church has always been strong, and now has a membership of about 240. The Sunday School in charge of President C. H. Kirracofe, is one of the largest in the county.
Olive Branch, on Haw Creek, about four miles northeast of Columbus, was organized as early as 1850, principally through the liberality, energy and wealth of Henry and Samuel Coblentz, and their wives; and w'th them its chief supporters have been John Childs, Peter Wright, Henry McCullagh, A. H. K. Beam, Henry Lambert, Samuel Beam, their wives, and others. Among the early preachers were Revs. Thomas J. Conner, William A. Card- well, John Riley, Alexander Long; later, Lewis Crawford, William Hall, H. Floyd, and at present, A. Myer. A brick church about 36×50 feet, was dedicted in 1854, and has ever since been
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used. Shiloh, three miles south of Hope, was organized in the early 70's through the zealons labors of Rev. Lewis Crawford. Its ministers have been: Revs. Irvin Cox, L. N. Jones, Asbury Myer, William Hall, and at present, Alonzo Myer. Its leading early members were James Seward, James Barger, their wives, the Lamberts, and others. The frame church now occupied was built about twelve years ago, and dedicated by Bishop Milton Wright.
Society of Friends .- In 1822 a committee of four was appointed by the Driftwood monthly meeting of Friends in Jackson County, to sit with the Friends at Sand Creek, and though meetings were occasionally held thereafter, it was not until 1824 that the Sand Creek society was organized. This was at the house of Isaac Parker, where the meetings continued to be held for some time. Among those belonging to the society were John S. Chawner, Samuel Nicholson, Isaac Parker, Joel Newsom, Isaac Cox, David Newsom, Willis Newsom, William Parker, Phineas Parker, Jona- than Cox, John Hall, with their families, and Walter Cox. John S. Chawner was the first minister, and for many years conducted the services of the society. Isaac Parker from the beginning until his death in 1852, was a faithful and effective worker as an exhorter and Elder in the church. Ligni Moffett was also an exhorter of early times whose power was great. Joel Newsom, Isaac Cox, William Parker, John Thomas, Cader Newsom, Charles Lindley, William Cox, and Joseph Hall were among the later Eiders. Among the ministers following Rev. John Chawner and coming down to the present, may be mentioned Margaret Cox, Benjamin Nicholson, Elam Stevens, Mary Stevens, David T. Newsom, Phobe Cox, Rachel H. Woodard, Margaret M. Newsom and Ewey Pearson.
The first meeting house was a small log structure, built soon after the society was organized, and added to as it increased its membership. This was replaced by a frame building, probably 30x40 feet, crected in the early part of the 30's, to which an addition of equal size with the original building was subsequently made. In 1859 a commodious and comfortable frame church was erected on the site of the old building, 35×60 feet, capable of seat- ing between 400 and 500 persons.
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In 1876 about one-half the Sand Creek organization associated themselves together, forming a new society at Azalia, where they « erected a substantial brick edifice, 40x60 feet, capable of seating about 450 persons. The first officers of this society were: Luke Newsom, William Cox and Joseph Hall. Services are regularly held at each of these churches, and Sunday Schools, with large men- berships, are connected with both. The church membershipexceeds 500 in the two societies. Socially and morally, from their advent into the county in IS21, the members of this society have exercised a controlling influence for good throughout the entire community. The pioneers of the sect gained the respect and admiration of all with whom they came in contact, by the purity of their lives, and their quiet, gentle, and pleasing ways; and their descendants have retained to the present, the confidence of the community and the esteem of all who are brought into social or business relations with them. In the society there is a recognized equality between the · sexes, women being deprived of no social or religious right or privilege which is granted to man.
New Light Christians .- This denomination was organized first in 1778, in North Carolina, and ten years later, in 1788, a child was born in Shenandoah County, Va., who was destined to be in the days of his manhood a great instrument in the hands of God for the enlargement of His Kingdom. Frederick Steinberger came as a pioneer, in 1819, to the then untrodden wilderness of the New Purchase and was the first New Light, as they were commonly called, in the territory afterward formed into Bartholomew County. He had raised a cabin, and there in 1821, formally organized a congre- gation which in three or four years grew to a membership of forty. For twenty years the meetings were held in his house; it was so built that a large room was set apart for the purpose of God's wor- ship; and such wa. his generosity and goodness of heart that he often entertained with genuine pioneer hospitality, not only the preachers, but also the entire congregation, many of whom, bare- footed and roughly clad, had walked many miles to hear the preach- ing of the Gospel. The first general conference was held in his house; the second in his barn; and the third in the woods upon his lands, near his house, that stood with open doors where all were
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welcome guests. In his personal appearance he was tall, erect, with a commanding figure, and noble bearing. January 25, 1867, on the old farm where he had reared eleven children, he passed over to the brighter shore after fifty years of devoted Christian labor and undoubted piety, commanding the respect and love of all who knew him.
David Douglass, called the "traveling Bible," so familiar was he with the divine word, and Jesse Frazier, a sturdy, devout man, were the first that preached to the society formed in 1821. These early preachers, and others who came after them, often reached the place of worship in their hunting shirts and barefooted, and with some of them Mr. Steinberger divided his own clothes. Other early ministers, whose powerful preaching left a deep impression on the memories of the people, were: Revs. Daniel Roberts, Henry Logan, Elijah Dawson and Jesse Hughes; and, later: Revs. Mr. Ray, John Cummins and George Witters. One of the early preachers of great ability and power was a negro called Black Aaron. He was a good preacher and met with much success. IIis color, which was an intense black, made him somewhat of a curiosity to the pioneers, and especially to the children. After twenty y ars of happy gatherings under the Steinberger roof, it was deemed best, to accommodate the increasing numbers, to build a church, and in consequence a plain but comfortable frame house was erected and called Union, which served the purposes of its construction until 1885, when a handsome brick edifice, 45x55 feet, was erected at a cost of $3,500.
After the town of Taylorsville was founded, a church of this denomination was established there, chiefly through the instrumen- tality of Hendren Steinberger. Elder Henry White was probably its first preacher. About 1862, a frame church, which is still used, was built at a cost of about $2,600, which left the organization consid- erably in debt, of which about one-half was paid by Mr. Steinberger.
At Clifford, about 1868, an organization was formed with about thirty-six members, by Elder A. S. Downey, through the zealous work principally of Thomas Hendrickson. A frame church, 40x60 feet, built by the United Brethren, was purchased by this society about twelve years ago, and is still used.
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For about thirty years, at frequent intervals, Elder A. S. Dow- ney has labored among these three congregations with great zeal and devotion. Among other ministers serving them have been El- ders A. H. Allison, Peter Baker, J. T. Phillips, M. G. Collins, John Threklkell, David Fowk and O. H. Kendrick. At present they are all in charge of Elder E. K. Pond, a recent convert from the faith of the Separate Baptists in Christ. The denomination is in a high degree prosperous, the present membership being as follows: Union, 150: Clifford, 130: Taylorsville,
Separate Baptists in Christ .- This organization held its first association in Shelby County about the year IS27. It is an off- shoot from the Regular Baptist denomination, coming into exist- ence because of the custom of close communion which prevailed among the latter sect, this denomination believing that communion ought to be free and open to all who love and serve the Lord with- out regard to the sect to which the communicant may belong. In early days there were two cieties of Separate Baptists in the county, one at the old Liberty church in the Hawpatch, and the other near Mt. Sidney, a village about three-quarters of a mile northwest of the present site of St. Louis Crossing. At Liberty, Joseph and Uriah McQueen were the leaders, and were prominent preachers. Both had been Methodists, but differences on doctrinal points drove them from that church and they helped to form a society, or went into an organization already formed of the Separate Baptists. This society held its meetings for a time at Liberty Church, and in about 1845 or 1846, built a church northeast of Clifford on the Maj. Nye farm. In the society near Mt. Sidney, Martin Leamon was the leader. The two organizations consolidated and, about 1850, built the United or Owen's Church, about midway between Clifford and St. Louis Crossing, which is still used. It is a very large frame, seating 500, and cost probably $2,500. Among the early preachers besides those named, were: Thomas Hendricks, Uriah Randolph, Samuel Randolph and Joshua McQueen. For about forty years John Kelin, and for a shorter period, Martin Douglass, have, at in- vals, served this congregation. Benjamin Stoughton was licensed here and has been preaching about fifteen years. Among the local preachers of recent years are Samuel Stoughton and J. II. Hill.
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Joel McQueen, for two years past, has had charge of the church, which has prospered under his ministry. The membership numbers eighty-five.
Among those composing the first class were George Stoughton and wife, Elizabeth Stoughton (yet remaining at the advanced age of inety-two years), Thomas Hendricks and wife, Nathaniel () s and wife, and Charles Klipsch and wife. In later years, the votion of these original ( instituent members has been sup- plemented by that of J. II. I and wife, L. Klipsch, William Klipsch and wife, Mrs. Sarah Thayer, Henry Query, Eli Aberna- thy and wife, George Conner and wife, Malcom Petri and family, and many others.
At Brush Creek, about three or four miles southeast of Col- umbus, a society was formed as early as 1850, and a brick church was built, but the organization was abandoned probably fifteen years ago.
Mt. Pleasant, six miles west of Columbus, in Harrison Town- ship, was organized in later years. Benjamin Whittington, Frank Whittington, and their wives, were prominent among the early members, and continue attached to the church. A small log building was erected about fifteen years ago. The congregation numbers about forty, and is under the care of Rev. Joshua McQueen.
Oak Ridge, in Ohio Township, about four miles southwest of Mt. Pleasant, was organized about 1883, through the instrumen- tality of Joshua M. McQueen and Benjamin Whittington. The congregation here is about equal in size to that at Mt. Pleasant, and is in charge of the same pastor.
St. Paul Episcopal Mission .- About twenty-two years ago the Episcopal residents of the city began to hold services in the public hall and elsewhere, continuing these meetings till 1876, when the present mission was established and arrangements were made for the building of a church. The first rector was Rev. M. Turner, who, after one year, was followed by Rev. James Mitchell. For a time the church was then without a resident rector, services being occasionally conducted by R. vs. Thomas McLean, Herbert Root, Edward Bradley, and Dr. E. A. Bradley, the estab- lishment of the mission being the r sult principally of the efficient
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and zealous labors of Mr. Root. Subsequently the congregation was ministèred unto, from time to time, by Revs. J. Saunders Reed, . Joseph F. Jenks, G. W. Gates, and Willis D. Engle. Since De- cember, 1887, Rev. B. A. Brown has had charge of the church and already gives promise of doing much good. Dr. J. 11. Iless has been warden from the organization of the church to the pres- ent time. It commenced with fifteen members, and though many discouragements have been met, there are now twenty-five com- municants and a number of baptized children. The church prop- erty consists of a very neat, though small, frame Gothic edifice, on Eighth Street between Washington and Franklin streets, with a ca- pacity for seating 150, which cost about $2,000.
German Evangelical Lutheran Church .- This church has five congregations in Bartholomew County. The oldest of these con- gregations, that on White Creek, called St. John's, was founded about the year IS40 by a number of settlers who had emigrated to this country from Germany, principally among whom were: V. Vornholt, H. Zurvewsta, D. Sanders, D. D. Pardrick and B. Bur- brink. Its first pastor was Rev. C. Frincke, whose successors were: Revs. R. Klinckenberg, C. II. Juengel and G. Markworth, the present pastor. This congregation owns a large brick church building, erected in 1862, a brick school house, a parsonage, and a dwelling for the teacher, all worth at least $10,000. A paro- chial school is connected with this congregation, which is taught at present by Mr. Vouder Au, and contains eighty-three children to whom must be added a number of children in the public school. The number of members belonging to this congregation is 103, the number of souls 558.
The congregation beyond Clifty Creek is almost as old as the one on White Creek. Its first pastor was Rev. C. Frincke, who was succeeded by Revs. J. Rauschert, A. Zagel, E. Rolf, G. Schumm, Augustus Heitmueller (who died in March, IS86) and Martin Mertz, the present pastor. Its children, numbering sixty, are taught by Mr. William Menzendick, who teaches the public and the parochial school. This congregation numbers forty-three members, 216 souls. In 1887, a handsome brick church edifice, with a capacity for seating 500, was erected at a cost of about
Q. All Bormack
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$4,000. The old church is to be converted into a class room for the preparation of children for confirmation.
The congregation in Columbus and vicinity was organized in the year 1858, by II. Fehring, E. Kaiser, A. Geilker, A. Kiel and G. Kiel, and called "St. Peter's." Its first pastor was Rev. G. Kuechle, succeeded in the year 1867 by Rev. John G. Nuetzel, and he in 1882, by Rev. Charles A. Trautman, the present pastor. The church maintains two parochial schools, one in Columbus with eighty-five children, taught by Mr. C. Gotsch, and one five miles west of Columbus with forty children, taught by Mr. IL. Engel- brecht. The large and handsome brick church on the corner of Fifth and Sycamore streets, with a capacity for seating 650, was erected in IS70, at a cost of $9,000. In 1883, a parsonage was purchased for $2,000, and the sum of $Soo was expended in repairing and re- modelling the same. In 1887, a two story brick school buildling near the church was erected at a cost of $3,800. The member- ship January, 1887, was 150 families or 900 souls; and the schools have become so large that the present intention is to organize an- other class at a very early day. The Sabbath School under the superintendence of the pastor, is very prosperousa and large in num- bers. The ministerial work of Mr. Trautman has been remarkably successful. When he came to this church there were 555 com- municants, and last year the number swelled to 1, 125.
The congregation in Waymansville was organized about 1870, by Rev. F. Wendt, who continued as its pastor for many years. The present pastor is J. G. Shafer. In January, IS87, it had fifty- six voting members, 284 souls. There are forty children in the parochial school. A commodious brick church costing over $5,000, a parsonage, and a school building erected in ISS5, constitute the church property.
"St. Paul's " congregation at Jonesville was organized August 16, 1877, at the house of C. F. Schæfer by a number of the men- bers of Rev. II. Juengel's congregation, who severed their connec- tion with the mother church for the purpose of establishing this new society. Among them were M. F. Woesner, C. F. Schafer, Lewis Donhost, John Moellencamp, D. Pardieck, C. Brandt and many oth- ers of the prominent people of that section. In the same year, a
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large frame chure sting about $2,000, was crected, and on the second Sunday in ·mber, 1877, was dedicated by the pastor, Rev. Richard Eirien, who, continuing to serve the church to the present time, has increased its strength to a voting membership of forty-seven, and about 250 souls. The society also owns a parson- age and intends building a school house for the parochial school which now has about fifty children.
These five congregations are connected with the German Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States. They accept the Bible as the inspired word of God, and the symbolical books of the Lutheran Church as the true explanation of the Scripture. In their parochial schools are taught reading, writing. arithmetic, geography, singing, the catechism, the Bible and the German and English languages. The entire church throughout the county, and the parochial schools attached to it, are in a very prosperous con- dition.
English Evangelical Lutheran Church .- St. Paul's church of this denomination, in Ohio Township, was organized by Rev. Jacob Keller in 1850, and in three weeks from the time of organization a hewed log church, 20x30 feet, was erected by the energetic mem- bers. Among the early preachers, following Mr. Keller, were Revs. Huffman, Exline, Brown, and Presley. Rev. Dolbear wa- the last to minister to this congregation; at present there is no pastor in charge and the membership is very small. The leading early members were Bunis Moore, Abraham Howbert, Samuel Ogilvie, William Polen, Solomon Went, Nathan Went, Thomas Earhart, George W. Lucky, and their wives. In the latter part of the 60's a substantial frame church, 30x42 feet, costing $1,500, was erected.
German Methodist Church .- The only church of this denomi- nation now in the county is three miles east of Waymansville on the Jonesville road, and was organized in 1846. The first preacher was Rev. Frederick Baker, and following him were Revs. Fred- erick G. Miller, John II. Huber, Louis Miller, Mr. Reinhart, Wesley Freihoffer, IIenry Gent, John H. Leppert and George Stoll, the present pastor. There are now 133 members; the church property consists of a frame church, 40x60 feet, and a parsonage,
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