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BELLEFONTAINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Gc 977.102 B41h 1139167
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00827 0727
250
thril 22, 77 2 3-
-
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyoffirstpr00firs_1
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (ERECTED 1870)
HISTORY
OF THE
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
OF BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO, AND
ADDRESSES DELIVERED
AT THE CELEBRATION OF THE
THIRTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE PASTORATE OF THE
REVEREND GEORGE L. KALB, D. D.
1900 PRESS OF THE INDEX PRINTING & PUBLISHING CO. BELLEFONTAINE
iii
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
" Still may the call to praise and prayer Be heard each Sunday morn, And bind in growing faith the past With ages yet unborn."
iv
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
1139167
PREFACE
This work has been prepared and published under authority given by the congregation at meetings held in the lecture room of the church, September 5 and 12, 1898.
This does not pretend to be a perfect book. No history ever was written without mistakes and this by reason of its mode of compilation probably has many more than is necessary.
Whatever errors or notable omissions are discovered should be reported and in due time they shall be corrected or supplied.
Various persons have furnished valuable material and help and it would be almost impossible to give each and every one proper credit. So only those are mentioned who contributed special papers.
Goodspeed- 5.00
V
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
SEE PAGE 120
RESIDENCE OF ROBERT PATTERSON AND FIRST COURT HOUSE OF LOGAN COUNTY 1822.
CONTENTS.
CONTENTS
GENERAL
Page
Synods and Presbyteries 1
Pastors
Elders. 3
Officers, Deacons, Trustees, Clerks, Auditors, Deaconesses,
4
Early Missionaries. 8
First Presbyterian Church of Bellefontaine.
14
Abstract of Yearly Reports 24
List of the Books of Record 26
Seating of the Church-1829-1836. 27
Contributors to this Church-1825-1842.
28
BIOGRAPHICAL
OUR PASTORS-Reverends Joseph Stevenson, 33; Robert H. Hollyday, D. D. 35; Geo. A, Gregg, 37: Edwin B. Raffensperger, D. D., 38; Geo. P. Bergen, 41; Geo. L. Kalb, D. D., 41: Geo. E. Davies, 49.
THE ELDERS-Joshua Robb, 50; J. W. Marquis, 51; Rob't Patterson, 51; Thos. Marquis, 52; John McCracken, 52; James Kerr, 53; David Patterson, 53; Abrahanı Boyd,. 54; John Faris, 55; James D. Campbell, 55; Ezra Bennett, 56; Thos. M. Stevenson, 57; Rob't Henderson, 58; Wm. G. Kennedy, 58; Dr. S. W. Fuller, 59; Wm. McCulloch, 61; Josiah Moore, 61; J A. McIlvaine, 62; Geo. A Henry, 63; J. Q. A. Campbell, 63; Dr. J. P. Wallace, 64; Joseph Stevenson, 65; J. Duncan Mclaughlin, 66; G. M. Stevenson, 67; John E. West, 67: S. A Buchanan, 68; J. W. Weaver, 69; Jas. Albert McMillen, 70; Reuben B. Keller, 70.
CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH, MINISTERS AND MISSIONARIES-Rev. Paul D. Bergen, 72; Rev. E. L. Combs 73; Rev. John W. B. Combs, 74; Rev. S. C. Faris, 74; Mattie Byers Fehl. 75; Lula Frey, 76; Lucretia P. Fulton, 77; Alice M Irwin Ghormley, 78; Rev. Joseph Grabiel, 79; Rev. Virgil L. Grabiel, 80; Rev. Jas. B. McCracken, 81; Rev. John Marquis, 82; Rev. G. A. Pollock, D. D., 82; Rev. Rob't P Shaw, 84; Rev. Jno. M. Stevenson, D. D., 85; Rev. Jos. H. Stevenson, D. D., 87; Rev Jas. E. Stevenson, 88; Rev. R. Scott Stevenson, 88; Mary E. Stevenson. 89; Susanna Stevenson, 90; Jennie Stevenson Koons, 90; Lucinda A. Stevenson 91; Emma Silver, 91; Josie Silver, 91; Dora Martin Taylor, 91; Martha R. Wylie, 92
OFFICERS OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL :- Superintendents Dr. Abraham Fulton, 96; Rev. Joseph Shaw, 96; R. H. St. John, 98; Philo Dorwin, 98; Eben Durkee, 99; David J. Miller, 99: Geo. P Stevenson, 100.
SOCIETIES
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR, 101; Junior Society of Christian Endeavor, 103.
MISSIONARY SOCIETIES, 104; The Missionary Society, 104; The Woman's Mis- sionary Society, 104; Young Ladies' Missionary Society, 107; The Mission Band, 108.
LADIES' AID SOCIETIES, 109; The Female Benevolent Association, 109; The Mite Society, 109; The Presbyterian Church Social, 111.
TEMPORARY SUPPLIES AND EVANGELISTS :- Rev. Win. H. Babbitt, 113; Rev. W. A. Bodell, 113.
vii
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
GENERAL, 115 :- The Stevenson Prayer Meeting. 115; Rev. Thos. Marquis, 118; Sarah Marquis Stevenson, 120; Buildings used for services prior to 1829, 120; The Building of the First church edifice, 121; Lining out the Singing, 121; Residences of the Pastors, 121; From Columbus Presbytery Records, 122.
OUR PRESBYTERIAN NEIGHBORS :- Presbyterian Churches of Logan county, 124; Statistics of same, 126; Mack-a-cheek, 130; Huntsville, (Cherokee,) 131; Spring Hill, (Stony Creek,) 136; Logansville, 137; Pleasant Valley, 138; Second church of Bellefontaine, 138; New Richland, 139; West Liberty, 139: Richland of Stokes, 141; Zanesfield, 141; DeGraff, 144; Bellecenter, 146; Par- ish, 147; Rushsylvania, 148; East Liberty, 150; Ridgeway, 151.
CELEBRATION OF THE THIRTY-FIFTH ANNI- VERSARY OF DR. KALB'S PASTORATE
Program, 132; Addresses :- The Founders of the Church and Their Descend- ants, 152; The Pastors of the Church, 154; The Children of the Church in the Ministry and Mission Field, 160; The Sunday School, 162; Our Temples of Worship, 165: The Work and Influence of the Church in the Com- munity, 167; The Singers in Israel, 168; Our Pastor, His Work and His Influence, 171; Our Pastor's Wife, 174; Letter from Rev. R. H. Hollyday, D. D., 175; Aunt Ped and Uncle Joe, 177.
REGISTER OF MEMBERS ALPHABETICAL, 180-278
GENEALOGY-Faris family, 203; Gunn family, 208; Kerr family, 221; Mclaughlin family, 231; Marquis family, 236; Newell family, 246; Robb family, 255: Stevenson family, 261.
INDEX
Index to names of persons mentioned herein, except those in the alphabetical roll of members, 278.
ILLUSTRATIONS
BUILDINGS ERECTED BY THIS CHURCH :
Page
Campbell, Chas D and family 191
Campbell, Mrs Chas D 191
Campbell, Edward K 191
Building of 1845.
18
Campbell, Harold F 191
Building of 1870.
I
Campbell, Hattie. 191
Campbell, James D 55
Campbell, J Q A 63
Campbell, Lois. 191
Campbell, Marie E 191
73
Davies, Rev Geo E 48
Davies, Mabelle A 49
157
Alexander, Mrs J E.
149
Dean, Elizabeth. 157
Alexander, Master. 149
184
Dickinson, Ellen . .
199
Bennett, Judge Ezra
56
Dickinson. Joshua M.
199
Bergen, Mrs Geo P.
41
Bergen, Rev Paul D
72
Blessing Le Roy.
186
Elliott, Jennie ..
201
Bodell, Rev W A 114
Elliott, Lucille.
201
Boyd, Abraham ...
54
Emery, Peter H .
203
Boyd, Mrs Abraham
186
Faris, Rev Salmon C.
75
Buchanan, Samuel A
69
Faris, Wm.
55
Byers. James. 189
Faris, Wm D 204
Byers, Mary
190
Fehl, Mattie Byers 76
Page
Building of 1828
V
PASTORS, OFFICERS, MEMBERS, ETC : Page
Alexander, Rev J E and family . . . 149
Dean, J W.
Dickinson, Emily F. 198
Bartholomew, Geo W
Doolittle, Rev Geo C 103
Douglas, Josie Silver. 201
Elliott, Asa C, and family.
91
Bergen, Rev Geo P
41
Combs, Rev EL.
Buildings in which services were held prior to 1828: First Logan
County Court House, 1822 ...... viii Residence of Rob't Patterson 1825 .. viii .
viii
CONTENTS.
Page
Page
Frey, Lula.
77
Patterson, David. 53
Fuller, Dr S W.
60
Patterson, Eleanor 250
Fulton. Dr Abraham
96
Patterson, Edward. 250
Fulton, Lucretia P.
Patterson, Elizabeth P. 251
Ghormley, Alice Irwin 78
Patterson, Robert. 51
Ghormley, Rev DO, D D.
134
Patterson, Robert. 252
Gillmore, Mrs Wm
207
Patterson, Mrs. Robert. 250
Grabiel, Rev J G.
79
Pollock, Rev. Garnet A., D D 83
80
Raffensperger, Rev E B.
20
Henry, Geo A.
63
Raffensperger, Rev E B, D D. 38
Hollyday, Rev R H, D D
35
Raffensperger, Mrs E B 40
Hollyday, Mrs R H.
37
Robb, Joshua. 50
Hover, Margaret
135
Schaeffer, Ida St John. 266
Shaw, Rev Joseph
97
Humphrey, Catherine
214
Shaw, Naomi.
267
Jamison. Elizabeth.
215
Shaw, Rev. Robert P
84
Jamison, James.
215
Silver, Emma
91
Kalb, Albert and family.
216
Silver, Josie (Douglas) 91
143
Kalb, Rev Geo L, D D.
41
Kalb, Mary E
45
Stevenson, David M.
261
Keller, Anna Taylor
216
Keller, Reuben B.
69
Kennedy, Frank.
218
Kennedy, John R
220
Stevenson, Hannah. 264
Kennedy, Mary E.
218
Stevenson, Jennie Koons 90
Stevenson, James E. 264
Stevenson, Rev James Edward .. 88
Kerr, Geo.
222
Kerr. David N.
219
Kerr, Jennie.
219
Kerr, John C.
219
Kerr, Joseph M .
219
Kerr, Katherine.
219
Kerr, Margaret A.
219
Stevenson, Mary E.
89
Stevenson, Rev Robt Scott.
88
Steven son, Sarah 34
Stevenson, Thos Marquis. 57
Stevenson, Mrs Thos Marquis 265
St John, R H. 98
Taylor, Dora Martin 91
Tedford, Rev Chas E 133
Tucker Elizabeth 101
Wallace, J P., M D 65
Wallace, Mrs N A 269
Weaver, Joseph. 69
West, John E. 68
West, Judge Wm H 270
Whitehead, Mrs Rebecca 270
Wilson, Joseph. 136
Wylie, Martha R 92
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BUILDINGS
IN LOGAN COUNTY:
Page
Bellecenter . 147
Bellefontaine built in 1828 V
Bellefontaine built in 1845 18
Bellefontaine built in 1870 i
Cherokee built in 1825. 133
DeGraff .: 144
Huntsville. 131
Rushsylvania. 148
West Liberty
140
Odor, Thos J 249
229
McCormick, Mary E .. 228
McCracken, Rev J B 81
McIlvaine, Jno A. 62
Mclaughlin, James B. 231
Mclaughlin, Judge J D 66
Mclaughlin, Margaret. 232
McMillen, J Albert. 70
Marquis, Rey John. 82
Marquis, Margaret .. 238
Marquis, Lt Gov Wm Vance. 239
Miller, David J. 190
Mitchell, Alice, M D 105
Mitchell, Maria Stevenson 242
Moore, Elizabeth 242
Moore, Josiah 62
Nelson, John Marquis. 245
Odor, James A 248
Odor, Margaret M. 248
219
Kerr, Robert S.
224
Koons, Jennie Stevenson
90
Kumler, Rev F M 145
Lane, Capt Wm 226
McColloch, Wm. 61
McCormick, Jane M.
229
McCormick, Matthew H.
222
Kerr, Martha A.
223
Kerr, Morrison .
Kerr, Patterson Ray
Kerr, Thomas L 219
Stevenson, Rev John McM, D D .. 85
Stevenson, Rev Joseph. 33
Stevenson, Rev Joseph H., D D. 87
Stevenson, Joseph . 66
Stevenson, Margaret Kerr. 219
Stevenson, Margaret Ann 265
262
Stevenson, Mrs David M 263
Stevenson, Gilbert M. 67
Stevenson, Mrs Gilbert M 263
Kennedy, Wm G 59
Kerr, family 219
216
Kalb, Anna (Stevenson)
Smith, Rev Luther
Stevenson, Geo Pogue.
Hover, Samuel. 135
Grabiel, Rev V L
Zanesfield
142
ix
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY,
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (ERECTED 1828)
SYNODS AND PRESBYTERIES.
"We must remember how small a proportion the good or evil effected by any one person can bear to the good or evil of a great system "-MACAULAY.
The Synods and Presbyteries that have governed this church were organized, or made to embrace Bellefontaine, in the years given :-
Ohio Synod in 1814. Cincinnati Synod, 1829. Toledo Synod in 1870. Ohio Synod, again, in 1882.
Columbus Presbytery in 1821. Miami Presbytery in 1829. Sidney Presbytery in 1838. Bellefontaine Presbytery in 1870.
2
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
PASTORS OF THIS CHURCH.
The beneficent influence of their lives and character will never cease.
Some of the following were supplies a portion of the time :-
Rev. Joseph Stevenson, from 1825 to Oct. 1, 1844.
Rev. Robert H. Hollyday, (Asst.) Nov. 1, 1840, to May I, 1841.
Rev. George A. Gregg, from Oct. 1, 1844, to Jan. 18, 1854.
Rev. E. B. Raffensperger, from Oct. 22, 1854, to April 13, 1859.
Rev. George P. Bergen, from Aug. 22, 1859, to June 2, 1863.
Rev. George L. Kalb, D. D., from Aug. 31, 1863, to Oct. 2, 1898.
Rev. George L. Kalb, D. D. (Supply and Pastor Emeritus) from Oct. 1, 1898, to --
Rev. George E. Davies, pastor, Mar. 1, 1899, to
ELDERS.
TERMS OF SERVICE.
NAME.
When ordained or installed.
Dismissed or ceased to act.
DIED.
Years of Service.
Joshua Robb,
March 10, 1828.
April, 1836.
January 26, 1865, a. 79.
8
John Wilson Marquis,
March 10, 1828.
December, 1856, a. 75.
28
Robert Patterson,
March 10, 1828,
Spring, 1842.
Sept. 8, 1867, a. 79.
14
Thomas Marquis,
April 22, 1833.
April, 1836.
Oct. 19, 1851, a. 84.
3
John McCracken,
April 22, 1833.
Spring, 1842.
Sept. 1, 1855, a. 56.
9
James Kerr,
August 22, 1836.
Aug. 31, 1846, a. 67.
IO
David Patterson,
August 22, 1836.
May, 1841.
May 16, 1871, a. 75.
5
Abraham Boyd,
November 24, 1842.
Rem. to Lima Abt. '44 Residence, Lima, a. 90.
2
John Faris,
November 23, 1842.
October 23, 1862.
20
Jas. D. Campbell,
November 23, 1842.
May, 1859.
December 22, 1875.
16
Ezra Bennett,
November 28, 1846.
August 22, 1889.
42
Thos. Marquis Stevenson,
November 28, 1846. November 28, 1846. November 26, 1857.
March 5, 1862.
4
Seth W. Fuller, M. D.,
November 26, 1857.
May 2, 1877.
19
Josiah Moore,
November 26, 1857.
May 21, 1898, a. 91.
2
Jno. A. McIlvain,
March 3, 1863.
July 13, 1896.
33
J. Q. A. Campbell,
July 28, 1872.
Geo. A. Henry,
July 28, 1872.
J. P. Wallace, M. D.,
September 26, 1880.
August 6, 1888.
March II, 1894, a. 44.
8
Jos. Stevenson,
July 1I, 1886.
Jno. D. Mclaughlin,
July 11, 1886. June 15, 1890.
G. M. Stevenson, John E. West,
June 15, 1890.
S. A. Buchanan,
September 13, 1896.
J. A. McMillen,
April 17, 1898.
R. B. Keller,
April 17, 1898.
J. W. Weaver,
April 17, 1898,
December 28, 1883.
37
Robert Henderson,
July 8, 1851.
5
Wm. G. Kennedy,
Wm. M. McColloch,
November 26, 1857.
April 18, 1859.
Jan. 3, 1900, to Kenton.
·
ELDERS.
3
4
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
OFFICERS OF THIS CHURCH. AND YEARS THEY SERVED.
TREASURERS.
Robert Patterson, 1825-33, 1836-42.
John Marquis 1834-5.
Wm. Kerr, 1842-45.
Ezra Bennett, 1846.
In 1847 a Board of Deacons was elected who took charge of the finances.
DEACONS.
James E. Stevenson elected June 10, 1847, until moved to Mis- souri, May II, 1878.
William Kerr, elected June 10, 1847, until moved away.
William G. Kennedy, dismissed November 26, 1857, and elect- ed elder.
Thomas L. May, dismissed June 20, 1859.
Robert Huston, dismissed January 30, 1878, when he moved to Nebraska.
David J. Miller, ordained November 26, 1857, dismissed Sep- tember 30, 1871, to Indiana.
Ebbe Durkee elected November 26, 1857, ceased to act in 1869.
J. Duncan Mclaughlin, elected June 12, 1869. July 11, 1886, elected elder.
A Board of Deacons was elected June 10, 1847, taking the place of the trustees.
TRUSTEES.
Moses Marquis, 1834-35.
Charles Porter, 1834-36.
T. M. Stevenson, 1834-44-45-46.
John Marquis, Jr., 1835. William Cook, 1835.
Josiah Moore, 1836-38-39.
Bezaleel Comely, 1836-37.
5
TRUSTEES.
Henry Miller, 1837-42.
William Kerr, 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43-44. John Faris, 1838-39-40-41. J. D. Campbell, 1840-41. A. Boyd, 1842. Samuel Newell, 1843. James Byers, 1843-44. William Morrison, 1845. James Walker, 1845-46. Joseph Stevenson, 1846.
June 5, 1847, the office of trustee ceased to exist, and June 10, 1847, a Board of Deacons was elected.
September 9, 1871, a board of five trustees was elected to whom were committed the financial affairs of the church, so far as relates to the raising and disbursing of funds, for the payment of minister's salary, and the ordinary expenses of the church.
J. M. Riddle, 1871-77-78.
J. D. Mclaughlin, 1871-80-81-82-83-84-85-86.
Morrison Kerr, 1871.
Edward Patterson, 1871.
J. Q. A. Campbell, 1871-85-86-87.
S. J. Adams, 1872-73-75-76.
R. E. Patterson, 1872-73.
J. W. Byers, 1872-73.
D. M. Stevenson, 1872-73-74-75.
R. H. StJohn, 1872. John Fichthorn, 1872-74-75.
C. H. Hawley, 1873-74.
C. Mclaughlin, 1873-74-77-78.
J. D. Smith, 1873. S. W. Goe, 1874-75.
W. L. Nelson, 1874-75.
John. M. McCracken, 1875-76.
John M. Galbreath, 1875-76.
D. J. Miller, 1875-76-77.
E. J. Howenstine, 1876-77-84-85. William McElree, 1876-77-80-81-82-83-84-85-86.
J. D. Niven, 1877-78. G. M. Stevenson, 1878-79. Dr. J. P. Wallace, 1878-79. James Emery, 1878-79.
6
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
R. S. Kerr, 1880-81-82-83-84-85-86-87-88-89.
J. R. Hamilton, 1882-83-98-99.
R. P. McColloch, 1882-83-84-85-86-87.
J. A. Odor, 1880-81-82-83. L. A. Howard, 1884-85.
D. J. Miller, 1880-81.
J. R. Kennedy, 1880-81.
T. S. Brown, 1886-87-88-89.
G. W. Emerson, 1887-88.
A. R. Harner, 1887-89-90-91,
J. E. West, 1887-88. Ed. W. Patterson, 1888-89-90-91-99.
J. W. Weaver, 1890-91.
Charles Campbell, 1891-92.
Dr. J. H. Wilson, 1891-92. John Kennedy, Jr., 1891-92.
Wm. McKee, 1892-93-94-95-96-97 .-
W. W. Riddle, 1892-93-94-95-96-97.
H. S. Kerr, 1892-93-94-95-96-97-98-99.
A. Jay Miller, 1895-96-97-98-99. William R. Niven, 1895-96-97-98-99.
S. A. McColloch, 1891.
Jno. M. Hamilton, 1895-96 97-98-99.
Chas, R. Harner, 1899.
T. F. Bushey, 1899.
Mack Dickinson, 1899.
Dr. A. E. Griffin, 1899.
G. W. Bartholomew, 1899.
CLERKS OF CONGREGATION.
John Hemphill, 1828.
Ralph Moore, 1828.
James D. Campbell, 1834-35-36-37-41-42-43.
D. Patterson, 1838-39-40.
Josiah Moore, 1844-45-46-47-48-49, probably 1850-51-52-53-54-55- 56-57.
William McColloch, 1858-59-60-62.
Philander Jones, 1863-64-65-66-67-68-69. J. Q. A. Campbell, 1870-71-74-75-76-77. R. E. Patterson, 1872. John Fichthorn, 1873.
7
AUDITORS AND DEACONESSES.
J. McD. McCracken, 1878-79.
J. A. Odor, 1880-81-82-83-1896-97.
James B. Niven, 1883-85-86-87-88-89.
M. H. McCormick, 1890-91-92-93-94-95.
A. Jay Miller, 1898-99.
AUDITORS.
Joseph Clark, 1834. Stephen Giffin, 1835.
David Patterson, 1836-37.
J. C. McKee, 1838. James D. Campbell, 1839-40-41.
John Faris, 1843-44. James Kerr, Jr., 1845. J. E. Stevenson, 1846.
DEACONESSES.
"The church is an institution which stands for altruism; it lives for others That is taught in the life of its Divine Founder." -- Ely.
Committee to look out for the needy of the church. They re- ported to the deacons so long as there were any. Since then they have reported to the session.
Mrs. Margaret Riddle was appointed December 1, 1877, and has continued to serve ever since,
Mrs. Nancy Wilson was appointed December 1, 1877, and served until about 1892, when she declined on account of age.
Mrs. Sarah McCracken was appointed December 1, 1877, and served until her removal to Oregon, October 25, 1891.
Mrs. Sarah Alexander was appointed in 1891, and served until her death in 1898.
Mrs. Margaret Chalfant was appointed in 1892.
Mrs. Calvina Mclaughlin was appointed April 3, 1898. The last two are still serving with Mrs. Riddle,
8
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
THE EARLY MISSIONARIES OF THIS SECTION.
"The essence of heroic life is the apprehension by any man of the idea of a cause and the abandonment of his life to that idea."
HE earliest missionaries and itinerant preachers, with that in- tense loyalty to their faith and to humanity which has characterized the Jesuit and other religious teachers of all time, came to this section to tell the Indians of the true God. Wherever a few white men gathered the missionary soon found them.
Their services were generally attended by all, regardless of de- nomination or belief. The intensity of such worship of God was increased by the effect of the great forests and constant dangers.
Among the first positively known to us to have visited the earliest settlements of this section, which were located south of here, was the Rev. Archibald Steel, who was commissioned by the Presbytery of Transylvania in the Springs of 1797 and 1799* as a missionary to the western Ohio settlements. A part of his mis- sion was to make a list of the Presbyterians, and settlements wanting to establish churches.
After that a corps of itinerant missionary preachers constant- ly traveled through the Miami Valley settlements. It is very dif- ficult to get their names and their reports. The official reports were destroyed by the burning of the records of the General As- sembly in Philadelphia in 1835. The unique record of these noble men, their enthusiasm, their courage, their wonderful devotion to the cause of religion and humanity, has never been adequately presented in print.
The whole of the western society, its law and order, its moral- ity and character, and all that goes to make up the superiority of
*The Rev. James Kemper was commissioned by the Presbytery of Tran- sylvania to supply the settlements on the Miami in 1791, and the Rev. David Rice in 1792, but there were no white settlers here then.
9
THE EARLY MISSIONARIES.
a christian community, were greatly influenced by the spirit and teaching of these unselfish men.
Following, is a brief mention of the most active Presbyterian missionaries and ministers in this section prior to the permanent settlement of the Rev. Joseph Stevenson in Bellefontaine, who at once became the head of all Presbyterian activity, not only here, but for the five adjoining counties, and continued his gracious and potent influence here until his death:
Prior to 1806 no regular Presbyterian church was established or resident minister settled in or near the Mad River Valley. That year the Rev. Samuel Woods located permanently at North Liberties, on the Darby, where he held regular services, and from- whence he visited the settlements near West Liberty. The follow- ing year the Rev. John Woods located permanently at Buck Creek.
In 18II, Robert and John Smith, brothers, of a prominent Presbyterian family of Greenbrier county, Virginia, built a mill and settled on the Mack-a-Cheek, in the vicinity of which a large number of Presbyterians, from Kentucky, afterwards set- tled. Robert Smith had been an elder of his church in Virginia. The brothers and their neighbors organized a church. Mr. Gillet, the historian of the Presbyterian church, mentions this organiza- tion, and it was reported to the General Assembly in 1814. Many early settlers in and north of Urbana, and as far north as McCoys, who settled before 1810 near Rush Creek Lake, attended this church.
The establishment of the "Muddy Run," or Christian church, in 1814 and the great wave of "New Lightism" that swept over Kentucky and Ohio, apparently, so crippled the Mack-a-Cheek church that it ceased to attempt to maintain a formal organization, but meetings continued to be held at Robert Smith's mill until long after Mr, Stevenson came.
Among the early Presbyterian preachers mentioned as preach- ing there, are Rev. William Robinson and Rev. Arthur M. Pogue. We have evidence of the Rev. Thomas Marquis and Rev. Joseph Stevenson having repeatedly been here; sometimes together, as in 1817. Once the latter, in company with Rev. John McMillen and Elisha McCurdy, passed through here to the Maumee Mission, un- der orders of the Synod of Pittsburg. They were guided by a mail carrier nanied Joseph Gordon.
ANDERSON, REV. JOHN, was born in North Carolina in 1767, licensed in 1791, ordained as evangelist and itinerant preachier.
IO
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
He made several tours among the Wyandots and other Indians, ac- companied by Rev. Elisha McCurdy on frequent trips. From 1796 to 1844 he was an active promoter of Missionary work in Ohio.
BACKUS, REV. WILBUR, born in Richmond, Mass., 1788, grad- uated at Princeton, licensed in Spring of 1816, immediately proceeded on a mission to Ohio, Preached as a missionary, was located at Dayton as supply, pastor, etc., and died there in 1818, aged 29. A superior man.
BADGER, REV. JOSEPH, born in Wilbraham, Mass., 1757, grad- uated at Yale College, 1783, licensed, and came to Ohio as a mis- sionary in 1800. By request of the Presbytery of Ohio he, with the Rev. Thomas E. Hughes, investigated and reported on the ex- pediency of establishing various missions. He died in 1846, aged 89.
BURGESS, REV. DYER, was received at Springfield early. He labored after 1817 at Troy, Piqua and West Union.
CLARK, REV. THOMAS B., born January 28, 1779, educated with Rev. Joseph Stevenson under Rev. Thomas E. Hughes, li- censed in 1809. He supplied vacancies, helped pastors and organiz- ed new churches. Was pastor of Cherokee Run church in 1830, organized the "Church of the Miami" at Bellecenter in February, 1835. He married first Nancy Sample, second Martha Wiley and third Frances Stilwell. He died near Bellecenter January 13, 1853, aged 73. Mrs. Frances died January 21, 1847, aged 67.
COE, REV. JAMES, licensed by the Redstone Presbytery, was at Brush Creek, Piqua, Dicks Creek and various places in this vi- cinity. He preached repeatedly in Bellefontaine and as early as 1823, and is remembered by Mrs. William G. Kennedy, whose fath- er, Robert Patterson, entertained him when here later.
DICKEY, REV. WILLIAM, 1822-4, organized churches and preached where needed in this section. Pastor at Bloomingburg, Ohio, till his death in the fifties, aged 86.
DOBBINS, REV. ROBERT B., pastor at Red Oak, Ohio, 1812. With Rev. James Robinson in 1824, organized the Church of Lo- gan, at Cherokee Run, of which the early Bellefontaine Presby - terians were members. He also preached at the Court House and at the house of Robert Patterson.
Dow, REV. LORENZO, was an independant itinerant minister formerly of the Congregational church, who preached here in 1826 and other years.
II
THE EARLY MISSIONARIES.
GRAHAM, REV. WILLIAM, preached in the Western Ohio set- tlements for several years prior to 1824.
HARRIS, REV. TIMOTHY, licensed 1807, preached in Miami Valley as a missionary in 1807 and 1808 and later at Granville. He died in 1822. His report of his trip through here in 1808 says, "Many are the calls for preaching "
HOGE, REV. JAMES, born in Virginia, July 4, 1784, licensed in 1805, commissioned in 1806 by the General Assembly to serve as missionary in the Ohio settlements. He installed the Rev. Samuel Woods at the Darby church in 1806, who was the first Presbyterian pastor that the Logan county settlers heard. The church has since moved to Milford Center. He was installed pastor at Columbus, June II, 1808, and continued there fifty years. He greatly assisted in the propogation of religion through these parts. He was Moderator of the Presbytery held in the Bellefontaine Court House in 1825.
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