USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > Stone Creek > Brief historical sketch of the Jerusalem Reformed Congregation in the Stone Creek Valley, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, 1815-1915 > Part 1
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OF THE JERUSALEM REFORMED CONGREGATION IN THE STONE CREEK VALLEY TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, OHIO
1815-1915
Gc 977.101 T87f 1470898
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
EN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02492 9744
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/briefhistoricals00fled
A Brief Historical Sketch of the Jerusalem Reformed Congrega- tion in the Stone Creek Valley, Tuscarawas County, Ohio
1815-1915
Written for the Centennial Anniversary of the Congregation by Rev. Ernest Fledderjohann
000 Printers: The Daily Reporter Canal Dover, O.
1470898
Brick Church, Built in 1877
Jerusalem Reformed Church, Stone Creek Valley
The Church was organized in March, 1815. The log building was put up in 1815. The brick church was erected in 1877. The frame house was built in 1842.
Preface
HE One Hundredth Anniversary of the Jeru- salem Reformed church gives us occasion to review the history of this congregation. We make no claim for originality in this book. The facts given, the anecdotes related, are brought to- gether from various sources. The last two volumes of "The Fathers of the Reformed Church" by Rev. H. Harbaugh, Minutes of synod and classis, church cal- endars, and above all the church records have con- tributed the greater portion of the data. Certain mem- bers and friends have also assisted. We are grateful for all help received.
May this brief sketch help us appreciate the self- denying labors of our fore-fathers and fill us with Re- formed consciousness, but above all a desire to lead better Christian lives. Are we worthy of so great an inheritance? The only way we can be, is by continued faithfulness to the faith of our ancestors based on the teachings of the Word of God.
"Our Fathers, where are they, With all they call their own, Their joys and griefs and hopes and cares And wealth and honor gave.
Of all the pious dead May we the footsteps trace, Till with them in the land of light We dwell before thy face.
CHAPTER I
Jerusalem Reformed Church was Organized In 1815.
ERUSALEM Reformed church was organized in 1815. This organization dates back before the time in which York Township was orga- nized which occurred in 1828.
The first settlers of this township resided in Stone Creek Valley. Francis Garnet, Philip Kuhn, John Shull, George Gimlitz and Samuel Deardorff arrived here before 1808. Henry Ankney came in 1815 and bought land of Shull.
The earliest marriages occurred in 1810 between George Kulm and Margaret Gimlitz; Henry Fackler and Barbara Gimlitz and Frederick Shull and Cather- ine Fackler.
Jacob Shull died in 1813 and was buried in the graveyard of this church. This was the first funeral known.
The first time the stork made his appearance was in Decembr, 1809 when he brought a little girl into the home of Philip Kuhn. She was named Margaret. Jo- seph Shull was born in March, 1810. After this the stork knew the way and continued his visits to our beautiful valley. In the neighborhood of one thousand baptisms are recorded in the Jerusalem Reformed church records up to the present time. The first church was a log structure built by George Rommel in 1815. Prior to this time Shull's barn was used for religious assembly.
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School was also taught in this building. Daniel Von Bramer was the first teacher. He taught German only. His salary was nine dollars a month and board. His successor George Bucher taught in both languages. The school was patronized by families residing on Crooked Run and Oldtown Valley.
"John Shull made York's first clearing and put up the first house. Plows were home-made. Flax-spin- ning was a ceaseless domestic labor. Jacob Welt was a notable tanner of buckskins, and made garments of them. He tanned during his continuance at the business over 2000 skins. Shull brought with him some apple-seeds, and these planted, grew to be an orchard of natural fruit-prized although inferior."
The pioneers of this section did not always have smooth sailing. It is related that Jacob Ankney saw 15 wolves in a drove. He took refuge in an old hut until the wolves were gone when he stayed at a near neighbor until the next day. Deardorff, Garnet and Kuhn built a pen to trap them and caught a pan- ther. They prodded their formidable game to death with forks before opening the pen. The first settlers have passed down to us stories of many such adven- tures.
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CHAPTER II
Erection of the First Church Building.
P HILIP L. KUHN, John F. Gernand, George Kuhn, John and Henry Benfer, George H. Put and Henry Shaffer, all of Prussian de- scent, and of the Reformed faith, and John Shull and Gimlins of the Lutheran belief built the church to be used for worship on Sunday and educa- tional purposes during the week. This church was or- ganized in 1815. The hewed-log structure was erected at a cost of $311.81. $24.75 were donated in the form of labor at 5oc per day. The cost of the stove and stove pipe amounted to $55.50. Nails were purchased at 224 cents a pound, and other necessary material cost proportionately. The money needed for this building was subscribed by 43 people. Considering the change of conditions and times we should have to build a church worth at least $10,000, in order to compete with the Christian spirit of these pioneers.
The ground upon which this church was erected was donated by John F. Gernand and Philip L. Kuhn and John Schull. It consisted of one acre and forty rods for which the Jerusalem Reformed church holds a deed.
Because of the lack of Reformed pastors the services of student Abraham Schneider, as yet unordained, were secured. He instructed he the youth of the Reformed Church in the Heidelberg catechism. Our log church being small and since there was no other building large enough in New Philadelphia, the first class was
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confirmed in the Jail in New Philadelphia. O. The first Reformed minister serving this congregation was Rev. John Peter Mahnenschmidt, a member of the West Pennsylvania classis. He was born in 1783, most probably in one of the western counties of Penn- sylvania. His parents were pioneer people. "His father was a school master in Pennsylvania. Until the eighteenth year of his age, John Peter lived and labored for his father." After this he fought the battle of life independently. He found employment as day- laborer and school-teacher in Somerset County, the county from which Jacob Ankney the father of Francis Ankney came to this valley. Later John Peter Manen- schmit was teaching school in Washington Co., Penn- sylvania. During this time the Reformed minister, there, died and he was prevailed upon to supply the pulpit. He conceded 1806. In 1811, May 12th he ap- plied for regular licensure and ordination of Synod then in session in Philadelphia, Pa. His first congregations were in Washington County. Pa., which he served 6 years. In the meantime he was married and had to find part of support for himself and family by the labor of his own hands. In 1812 he visited Ohio and received an immediate call. Here he preached in houses, school houses, log cabins and sometimes under the open heavens, greatly to the joy of the people. His first home was near Springfield, O. where he purchased IIO acres at a very low cost . He served six congre- gations in Columbiana County and two in Trumbull County and Canton in Sttark County and other places among which is Jerusalem Church. Thus one pastor served churches scattered over four counties. He could give only a few services a year. At such a
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time he would perform marriages, baptize children and serve communion.
He died firm in faith and with an assurance of a glorious immortality. His labor was crowned with the success of winning souls for Christ. Up to the end of his ministry there are 38 baptisms recorded in church record volume one.
July 22, 1819 Rev. Henry Sonnendecker preached his first sermon at Jerusalem church under a large oak tree, since the church did not afford ample room.
He was born 1791 in Pennsylvania. His first re- ligious impressions were received from John Peter Mahnenschmidt, whose noble life and evangelistic preaching greatly influenced him. In 1818 he was or- dained to the work of the ministry and preached his first sermon in Buehler's School-house, Butler County Pa. He served three congregations in Washington Co., Pa., for a brief time. In 1819 he made a kind of Home missionary tour through Ohio. Among the churches he visited in July 1819 was Jerusalem Church on the 22nd of that month.
He repeated his visits in November of the same year and finally accepted the urgent call of the people in January 1820. During his pastorate nine baptisms are recorded. He continued here until 1831 when he accepted a call from a number of congregations in Columbiana Co., O. Here he labored until the end of his life. After 33 years of faithful ministerial labor he died Oct. 16th 1851 :
"His death was calm and peaceful, he fell asleep softly in the arms of Jesus, like the gently falling leaf. Thus ended the earthly career of a much esteemed and useful brother in the ministry." His pastor and
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spiritual leader John Peter Mahnenschmidt took part in the funeral service.
People continued to settle in the valley and neighbor- ing community. Many of them were of the Reformed faith. In 1822 they felt competent to call their own pas- tor. They secured the service of Rev. William Reiter.
Rev. William Reiter was born in Lancaster Co., Pa. on the 30th of September 1799. His parents, descend- ants of the Palatinate were Reformed people. He re- ceived his primary education at home in Westmore- land Co., Pa. In 1814 his parents moved with him to Stark Co., O. where as a dutiful son he received a real taste of backwoods life. He was a very sensitive child given to various moods. Under the careful in- structions of Rev. J. P. Mahnenschmidt he became assured of his salvation through Christ Jesus. He obtained a theological work from Rev. B. Faust to which he devoted his leisure time. When he was 21 years old he was instructed by Rev. J. Stough at Lis- bon, O. He made commendable progress. In 1821 he received an urgent call from members of the Reform- ed church in Tuscarawas County, O. He preached in the Seltenrich's church. Here a nucleus was formed, out of which grew the congregations of Shanesville, Ragersville and Bedford. In 1821 he also preached at Jerusalem church, Stone Creek and New Philadelphia.
April 15, 1823 he was examined and ordained at New Philadelphia, O., by a Committee appointed by the 1 Synod of North America. The committee consisted of Rev. J. P. Mahnenschmidt, Rev. Henry Sonendecher and Rev. D. Rahauser. His charge including Jerusalem church consisted of eight churches. Nine baptisms are recorded during his time. After a very
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Rev. David Shearer 1826-1840
Rev. Robert F. Kabus 1846-1848
Rev. Christian Wisner 1880-1886
Rev. O. J. Accola 1886-1889
Rev. P. Greding 1872-1880
Rev. J. G. Zahner 1853-1872
brief period of labor he died May 9th 1826 at the age of 26 years 7 months and 9 days. He was interred at Shanesville, O. where his tomb stone may now be seen.
During his brief ministry he preached 424 sermons. His sermons and services were greatly appreciated. He left wife and one child. Rev. H. Sonnendecher preached the funeral service.
The congregation of Tuscarawas county sought an- other pastor. The Lord heard them and sent them a new pastor in the person of Rev. David Shearer.
He was born in Guilford Co., N. C. Oct. 30, 1782. His parents gave him a Christian education. While under parental roof he also pursued his theological studies for one year, when moderate circumstances in- terrupted. 1803 he married Mary Le Rose, whose father was a prominent Reformed minister. He sup- ported his family by day labor until 1818 when he recommenced his theological studies under the direc- tion of his father in law. After two years he matricu- lated at Lancaster, when he completed his course.
1823-1826 he served several congregations in High- land County, O. Thence he followed a call to the Shanesville charge including the Jerusalem church. He served under many hardships connected with pion- eer work. During his pastorate this congregation was incorporated Feb. 24th 1843 as the First Society of the German Reformed Church in the Township York, Tuscarawas Co., O. During his service here forty baptisms were entered upon the records of the church. He served the church until 1840 when he moved with his family to Huntington Co., Ind. He spent his last years in the town of Huntington where
he took great interest in the development of the church. His last years were spent in confinement. He suffered with white swelling. He succumbed Sept. 10th, 1857. One son and three daughters survived him.
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CHAPTER III Erection of the Second Church Building, a Frame Structure
R EV. JACOB BAER became the next pastor. His early history is unknown. He was born March 4, 1810 probably in eastern or central Pennsylvania. He was licensed in 1835 or 1836 either by the Synod or the Susquehanna Classis. "He was at first settled at Spring Mills, Centre Co., Pa. 1837 he was stationed at Oxford, Adams County. He remained here, probably 3 or 4 years, serving four con- gregations and having his residence at New Chester."
In 1840 he took charge of twelve congregations in the vicinity of Shanesville, O. Among them was the Jerusalem congregation.
This "Bear" came along and ate up all the stingy people and the rest built a fine new frame church. Be- cause of continued immigration from Prussia and Switzerland larger quarters became necessary. This frame building 30 by 46 feet was erected at the cost of $694.80. A list of subscribers to this new church may be found in Church record Volume 1, pages 9 to II.
The cornerstone was laid March 31st, 1841, and ded- icated the same year. Rev. Jacob Baer and Rev. Henry Coleredo performed the cornerstone laying and ded- ication of the new church. Five baptisms are re- corded during his time of service.
The pastorate of Jacob Baer was brief. At the close of 1842 he left for West Point, Lee County, Iowa Ter-
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ritory. In this place he remained until his death, Feb- ruary 1, 1855. He reached the age of 44 years, II months and 17 days.
Rev. Baer was succeeded by Rev. Campman a Mora- vian minister. He served from 1842-1843. One bap- tism has been entered in the church record during his very brief pastorate.
1843 Rev. David Martz became pastor in and around Shanesville, O., including Jerusalem church. This was his first pastorate, consisting of ten congregations. In 1847 the number of congregations was reduced to six. In this charge he labored faithfully and with success to the end of his life. He was taken with inflammation of the lungs while at Farmersville and died there, Feb- ruary 19th, 1849 at the age of 36 years. He was a pious and earnest man, and with many, an acceptable preacher. In 1846 he was notified that his services were no longer desired at Jerusalem church since his methods varied from those established in the church. He belonged to the New Movement that was then sweeping the country.
He recorded seven baptisms.
He was buried in Shanesville, Ohio, his last place of residence.
In 1846 Rev. Robert F. Kabus took up the pastorate of the Jerusalem church. He served until 1848.
He was born ot Maienburg, Prussia, Germany, De- cember 2,1868, where he also received his education. He was highly educated, speaking four languages.
July 15th, 1847 he married Leah Bugher, daughter of Geo. Bugher an old resident of the valley. He had nine children. Five are still living.
Miss Mary Kabus on the home place near St. Jacob's
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church, Jefferson Township, to which Rev. Kabus re- tired toward the close of his life. Her brother Benja- min is staying with her.
Mrs. Fred Groh, nee Johanna Elizabeth Kabus, and her brother, James F., are staying on a farm near Ra- gersville. Mrs. Arthur Rial, nee Amanda Kabus, re- siding in New Philadelphia, Ohio.
There are two grand-children: Reuben H. Groh (19 years) and Teressa E .Rial (8 years old.)
The charge including the Jerusalem congregation was the first one served by him.
He performed 17 baptisms in this congregation. From here he went to Beach City. From there he went to Fulton Co., Ind., and Palasla Co., as a mission- ary for ten years. After this time he served as chaplain in the Civil war for two years. He served in 107 O. V. I. After this he went to Washington, D. C., where he filled a government office. Here he remained about two years. Then he led a retired life. He spent most of his last days at his home near St. Jacob's church, Jefferson Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and the rest at the Soldiers' Home at Dayton, O. He reached the age of 76 years and 3 months. He was buried at Shanesville, Ohio.
1848 Rev. John Gottlieb Abele, an Evangelistic min- ister accepted a call to the Jerusalem church and serv- ed until 1853. He had eight baptisms in the Jerusalem congregation.
1853 the Reformed Jerusalem church extended a call to Rev. John G. Zahner, who had begun his pastorate at Shanesville, December 5, 1846, where he continued his pastorate for 40 years.
Rev. J. G. Zahner was born in Oberdigisheim, Wurt-
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emberg, South Germany, December 21st, 1820. He studied at the Mission House, Basel, Germany. He came to America in 1845 and continued his studies under Schaff and Nevin. He was licensed in 1846 and ordained in 1847. Rev. Zahner was a most faithful pastor. The task in the Jerusalem church was un- usually hard when he arrived here. The congregation had been torn to pieces under the influence of Rev. Martz and had never been fully healed until Dr. Zah- ner arrived in this field. During his pastorate the first pipe organ was purchased from John Weber, organ builder, Shanesville, Ohio. The cost was $325. The organ committee consisted of J. Benfer, Jacob Ank- ney, S. Rufer and Moses Bucher. He continued his ex- cellent work in Stone Creek Valley until 1872 when he was compelled to lessen his field of labor because of in- creased infirmities. He performed 191 baptisms during his term of labor in this Valley. He continued his labors at Shanesville until 1889, when it became necessary to retire altogether. Rev. Zahner's influence may be traced throughout his charge. No doubt it is the seed sown by him that has grown to the strong congrega- tion in Shanesville which under the faithful labors of their present pastor, Rev. Henry Clausing, resulted in a splendid new church property worth at least twenty five thousand dollars. May the Lord send another Clausing to Stone Creek Valley in the near future. Our present building is very similar to the old one at Shanesville, Ohio. Our Savior called him to a much greater and more pleasant field of labor when he closed his career on earth May 7th, 1890 at Bloomsville, Ohio. He reached the age of 69 years, 4 months and 16 days. He was interred at Shanesville where a beautiful tomb-
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stone marks the site on the old cemetery immediately in front of the old church. The wife, nee Wilhelmina Cappel and ten children survived him. The motto on his tomb-stone is in the German language, Philippians I :21. "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
August Ist,, 1872, Rev. P. Greding accepted a call to this charge consisting of Jerusalem church, New Phila- delphia, and Trenton. He resigned his professorship at Tiffin, O., to take up his work here. He was born Feb- ruary 28, 1827 in the village of Thusis, Canton Grass- buenden, Switzerland. His father died in Switzerland and in the year 1858 the mother with her sons came to America and settled at Milwaukee, Wis. Dr. Gred- ing took his high school course in Switzerland, grad- uating with high honors. In America he pursued his college and theological courses at Tiffin, O., and grad- uated in 1859. He was ordained the same year and called to Riley Creek, O., where he organized the Emanuels church. From thence he also served Lima and organized the German church there in 1860. "Dr. Greding was active along three particular lines. I. As pastor, he served the following congregations: Riley Creek, 5 years; Magley, Ind., I year ; Detroit, Mich., 6 years; New Philadelphia, O., including our Jerusalem congregation, 8 years ; Riley Creek and Bluffton, O., (a second time) 12 years; Friedeus-kirche, Bothius, 10 years. It was at Friedeus-kirche where the present pas- tor of this church met him at a Harvest-home service. This little church is located within six miles of New Knoxville, O., where the present pastor was raised.
Besides these he served also though not as regular pastorates : Cario, Delphos, Spencerville and Hume " and one year as field secretary of the Home Mission
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Board.
As Professor .- He taught foreign languages for two years at Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio.
As Editor .- Here he was very active. For more than thirty years he edited the "Church Kalender." Several years he edited the "Evangelist" and Sunday School lesson leaves. Especially noteworthy are his "Principles of the Reformed Church," on the strength of which he received the doctor title in 1875 from Ursiuns College.
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CHAPTER IV.
Erection of the Third Church Building, a Brick Structure.
I T was during the pastorate of Rev. Zahner that the present brick church was erected in 1877. The building committee consisted of Franz Kuhn, Geo. May, August Kuhn, Daniel Kuhn and John Wenger. Henry Stiffler was the contractor. The cost with furnishings amounted to $2023.62. Francis Ankney acted as clerk.
When the walls had been built up a heavy storm blew them down. The workmanship in rebuilding was hastily carried on, and therefore it is impossible to re- model the present church. As this building becomes unsuitable for modern church work an entirely new structure will have to be built.
The old log church was used for religious worship for 26 years. The frame church served to that end for 36 years, and this brick church has done splendid ser- vice for 38 years.
During his service, Dr. Greding recorded 119 bap- tisms. After eight years of faithful service, he left in 1880.
He died April 28, 1910, at the age of 83 years. His wife, nee Anna Matter, to whom he had been married in 1860, and two sons, five daughters and eleven grand- children survived him.
Rev. Christian Wisner began his work here October I, 1880. At first he served Jerusalem church, New
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Philadelphia and Trenton. After a while the Trenton congregation was dropped and dissolved. After this there were services in the Valley and New Philadel- phia each Sunday.
Rev. Christian Wisner was born in Sultz, Witten- berg, Germany, on November 10, 1836. He was bap- tized, reared and confirmed in his native church, com- ing to America when but nineteen years of age. He received his theological education at the Union Theo- logical seminary, New York City, and was graduated in June, 1864. He immediately assumed the pastorate of the Bloomfield, New Jersey, congregation, after his ordination as a minister of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior. He was later sent by the Board as a mission- ary to Minnesota, where he labored for several years. Later he accepted a call to the New Philadelphia and Stone Creek charge and for seven years acted as their pastor. Thus he served the Lord, preaching the old but ever new Gospel of Jesus Christ, visiting the sick, baptizing the children and burying their dead. He rejoiced with those who rejoiced and sorrowed with the sorrowful, never once forgetting that he was the ambassador to the greatest of all Kings.
After an active ministry of forty-five years, he re- tired and is now living quietly in Indianapolis, Indiana.
During his pastorate 104 baptisms, 67 confirmations and three renewals of profession were recorded in the church record of the Jerusalem church.
October 24, 1886 Rev. O. J. Accola began his labors here. Rev. Oswold J. Accola was born November 26, 1835 in Sebanico Dalmatia, on the beautiful Adriatic sea. When but eight months old both parents suc- cumbed to the raging cholera. An uncle took him back
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to Switzerland (Canton Graubunden) whence his par- ents had come, and there raised and educated him. At the age of seventeen he came to America, following an older brother, who had come earlier. Here he settled at Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he was active as teacher, while pursuing a course of study. Later he entered Tiffin college where he completed his theological studies. He entered the ministry of the Reformed church in 1860. In the year 1862 he was married to Johanna Elizabeth Scheurmann in Town Lebanon, Dodge Co., Wis.
The following charges were served by him :
Defiance, O., 1860-1862; Elmore, Wis., 1862-1864; traveling missionary in western and northern Wiscon- sin in the time intervening between charges of Elmore, Wis., and Freeport, Ill .; Freeport, Ill., 1865-May, 1867 ; Dayton, O., May, 1867 to July 1876; Cleveland, O., July, 1876 to July, 1878-Dean and Professor in Calvin College; Dayton, Ohio, July, 1878 to October, 1886; New Philadelphia, including Jerusalem/ church, Octo- ber, 1886-1890; Chicago, Ill., Friedens Gemeinde, Oc- tober, 1890 to July, 1894. He then retired from the active ministry of the church.
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