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HISTORY OF THE
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
OF CANTON, OHIO
BY. REV. THEODORE P. BOLLIGER
Gc 977.102 C16b 1357316
IVI.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
-
1
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
L 3 1833 02279 6350
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyoffirstre00boll
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF CANTON, OHIO
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH as remodeled and enlarged in 1898
PARSONAGE Built in 1890
HISTORY
OF THE
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
CANTON, OHIO
BY REV. THEODORE P. BOLLIGER PASTOR SINCE 1907
1 -
1
CENTRAL PUBLISHING HOUSE CLEVELAND, OHIO
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE FIRST CHURCH whose graciousness has sustained me;
TO THE CONSISTORY without whose helpfulness my pastoral activities could not have prospered;
TO THE SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ITS FAITHFUL CORPS OF WORKERS
this volume is gratefully dedicated.
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PREFACE.
T HE First Reformed Church of Canton and its early pastors helped largely to make Reformed Church history in Ohio. The Church was in the midst of the problems, turmoils and movements of the last century. The author kept constantly before him a fourfold aim : First, to give the story of the humble beginnings and the growth of the First Church; secondly, to show the close relation between the First Church and the development of the Reformed Church in Stark County and beyond, through the congregations which were associated with it as a parish ; thirdly, to sketch the religious movements and ecclesiastical bat- tles in which the First Church took a leading part; fourthly, to indicate the conditions and the development of Canton from period to period.
The gathering of the material was fraught with great difficulties. The first church record, kept in common by the Reformed and Luther- ans before 1829, disappeared long ago. The first record kept by the Re- formed Church alone after 1829, contains only a list of the baptisms, and 'several lists of communicants and confirmations. The second record containing the account of the congregational meetings, dates back only to 1859. This record unfortunately is so brief and incom- plete, that it does not even mention the lawsuit of the Lutherans against the Reformed, nor the fact that a new church was being erected. The facts had to be literally dug out from many mines.
The chief sources of information were the minutes of the synods, the classes, and various church organizations. All the minutes of the Eastern Synod from 1793-1830; the Ohio Classis from 1820-23; the Ohio Synod from 1824-1881; the Independent Synod of Ohio from 1846-1852; the Columbiana Classis; the North German Classis; the St. John's Classis ; and the First Church and all its organizations, were ex- amined page by page, and every piece of information that seemed of value was carefully copied out and used. 1357316
The second important sources of information were the histories of Stark County, the earliest newspapers published in Canton, and the earliest church papers of Ohio. The first twenty volumes of the oldest
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FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, OHIO
German newspaper published in Canton, and the first forty volumes of the "Canton Repository," were examined column by column and all re- ferences to the Reformed Church utilized. In the same manner the oldest church papers published in Ohio, "Der Evangelist," "Die Kirchenzei- tung," "The Western Missionary," and "The Christian World," as well as every issue of the "Almanac," were consulted. Especially valuable also were the books of Dr. J. G. Buettner for the period from 1830-45, and the "Reminiscences of Rev. Peter Herbruck." These reminiscences were prepared about 1875, at the request of Rev. H. J. Ruetenik, D.D., but had been so completely lost that neither Dr. Ruetenik nor the family of Rev. Herbruck knew that they were still in existence. From the writ- ings of Dr. Buettner and Dr. Herbruck many of the most interesting incidents of this book have been gathered.
It yet remains for the author to express his indebtedness to those who gave assistance in the preparation of this volume: to George B. Frease, manager of the "Canton Repository" for permission to consult the early volumes of his newspaper; to Mrs. M. M. Herbst, the daughter of Peter Kaufman, one of the earliest publishers of a German newspaper in Canton, for the use of all the extant volumes; to Dr. James I. Good who freely offered rare books and helpful information; to the authori- ties of the Central Theological Seminary, Heidelberg College, Lancaster Theological Seminary and the Central Publishing House, for free access to old minute books, manuscripts and periodicals. Without this co- operation, the material for this volume could not have been gathered. Last of all, though not least to the author's heart, he desires to thank his dear friends and predecessors the Rev'd John B. Rust, Ph.D., D.D., and the Rev'd Frederick C. Nau for writing the story of their own pas- torates.
A clearer understanding of the hard pioneer life of the fathers, of the struggles through which they passed, of the success and victories which they won, will put iron into the blood of the present generation, will stimulate loyalty, and arouse to better service. May this volume contribute somewhat to this desirable end. T. P. B.
CONTENTS
PAGE
I. THE EARLIEST DAYS 1
Stark County 110 years ago. First Reformed settlers. First religious services. First Reformed Minister. Rev. Mahnenschmidt's life. Some sermon outlines.
II. CANTON'S FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE 8
The first church building in Canton. References in min- utes of Synod to Canton. Religious conditions in Canton and vicinity. The first confirmations. Rev. Mahnen- schmidt's literary efforts. Canton in 1816.
III. THE FIRST RESIDENT MINISTER 16
Benjamin Faust's youth. Education. Marriage. Condi- tions in country congregations. The Ohio Classis. Pe- culiar customs. A bad trip to Synod.
IV. RELOCATING AND BUILDING 22
Reasons for relocating. Description of new building. The cemetery. Ohio Synod organized. Movement for union with Lutherans. Faust's missionary zeal. Two in- teresting facts.
V. FAUST AS PASTOR, PREACHER AND MAN 28
Sunday School interest. Bible society work. Sermon out- lines. Synod resolutions at death. Size of Canton con- gregation in 1832.
VI. REV. FAUST'S LAST SIX MONTHS. 32
Suffering from tuberculosis. Meets young Herbruck. Trains him. Herbruck's first attempts to preach. Death. Obituary notice. Grave. Mrs. Nancy Faust.
VII. PETER HERBRUCK'S YOUTH 37
Peter Herbruck's home. School days. Begins teaching. Starts for America. Walking through France. Ocean voy- age. A night in the open. Teaching. Strange start for Ohio. Turned north by a stranger. A voice leads him westward. Distress. A new home.
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FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, OHIO
PAGE
VIII. PETER HERBRUCK'S EXPERIENCE BEFORE HIS OR- DINATION 43
Canton in 1832. Seeking a successor for Rev. Faust. Herbruck's first winter. Disappointed at Xenia. Her- bruck's explanation of the reason. Marriage. A conver- sion in jail. A service at the gallows. Ordination.
IX. GETTING SETTLED IN THE CHARGE. 52
Permit to perform marriages. Contract with congrega- tions. Moving to town. Experiences with the new horse. Shifting the congregations. Peculiar action of the Synod. In the flood. A typical Sunday. Popular preaching. Ex- periences with Pennsylvania Germans. Union movements.
X. THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF THE REFORMED CHURCH IN OHIO. 63
Training ministers formerly. Attempting to found a seminary. Dr. J. G. Buettner. Seminary opened in Can- ton. The professor wants the Canton congregation. Rea- sons for failure of seminary. A balky horse and a mud- hole. A missionary trip to Indiana. A mishap. A rob- ber. Finding former members.
XI. THREE PERPLEXING PROBLEMS 74 Change of language. Dr. Buettner's experience in Osna- burg. Evils of liquor drinking. Temperance resolutions. An old-time protest. Difficult position of German minis- ters. Classis organized. Temperance sentiment in Can- ton. New Measurism. Invading Canton. Excesses. Syn- od disapproves. The Osnaburg revival. The fight that didn't come off. Synod ignores the Germans' protest. De- fects of New Measurism. The virtues.
XII. THE HERBRUCK SYNOD
87
Causes that led to organization. Columbiana Classis at Osnaburg. The fateful resolution. The secession. An amazing new-measure report. Discourteous hosts. Inde- pendent Synod organized. Reasons set forth for this action. Growth of the Synod. Reaction among new-measure men. Ohio Synod reverses its action. North German Classis. More dissensions. St. John's Classis. Congregations in Canton parish. Two testimonials given Rev. Herbruck.
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CONTENTS
PAGE
XIII. SEPARATION FROM THE LUTHERANS AND BUILDING THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH. . . 96
Canton from 1830-50. Estrangement between Reformed and Lutherans. Plans to separate. The Reformed decide to build. Rev. Herbruck chops down a tree. The Luther- ans sue. Rev. Herbruck gets a new law passed. Louis Gibbs' help. The settlement. The bells.
XIV. THE CORNER STONE AND ITS CONTENTS AND THE DEDICATION 105
Laying the Corner stone. Opening the Corner stone in 1914. The Contents. Sketch of history of the Church by Rev. Herbruck. Accounts of the Lawsuit. Names of members of the women's societies that helped. Description of the church. The dedication.
XV. THE INEVITABLE ENGLISH AND A FEW OTHER THINGS 114
The demand for English. The losses. Rev. Herbruck's position. The aid offered if an English congregation should be organized. The ill considered location of the English congregation. Regretable consequences. Little pictures of congregational life from 1862-75. Rev. Herbruck becomes a "D.D."
XVI. CLOSING YEARS OF DR. HERBRUCK'S LIFE 121 Failing strength. 50th Jubilee. Total ministerial acts. Death. Funeral services. Death of Mrs. Herbruck. Can- ton in 1895.
XVII. EARLY LIFE AND LABORS OF REV. JOHN B. RUST. .. 124 Birth. Educational training. In the Waynesburg charge. History of this charge. A scrap in Church. Rev. Rust's first connection with the Canton Church. The call. The installation. A review of Rev. Herbruck's career.
XVIII. THE PASTORATE OF REV. J. B. RUST .132
The first church roll. English introduced. Temperance agitation. Church remodeled. Loose ideas of Church membership combatted. Berchtold Ruf and family. Brave stand for law and order. The "wets" get excited. A fa- mous victory. Resignation. Rev. Rust goes to New Phil- adelphia. Literary activities.
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FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, OHIO
PAGE
XIX. LIFE AND PASTORATE OF REV. FREDERICK STRASS- NER, D. D. 139
Rev. Strassner's early life. Education. Wyoming Val- ley experiences. Work at Canton : the parsonage, revising the roll, Y, P. S. C. E., Church hymnal. Mrs. M. A. Beh- mer. Troubles. Successes. Resignation. Founding Grace Church. Last days. Two prayers.
XX. THE PASTORATE OF REV. FREDERICH C. NAU. ....... 146
Boyhood. School days. College and seminary. Call to Canton. Building the Sunday School addition. Dedica- tion. Memorial windows. Sunday School growth. De- fects in building. Fate of the old cemetery. Missionary society. New organ. Basement finished. Renovating. Language question. Resignation. Rev. Nau in the East.
XXI. THE CONSTITUTION AND THE INCORPORATION. ..... 156
The "Agreements" of 1810 and 1822. First distinctly Re- formed constitution. Revisions. Incorporation in 1897. The Constitution. Article 1-Statement of faith. 2-The Con- sistory. 3-Duties of Consistory. 4-Consistory meetings. 5-General duties. 6-Reception of Church-members. 7- Arrivals. 8-Elections. 9-Visiting ministers. 10-Language. 11-Improvements. 12-General Constitution. Incorporation.
XXII. REV. THEODORE P. BOLLIGER AND THE FIRST CHURCH 164
The first sermons and the call. Early life. Desire for the ministry. School life. In Wilkes-Barre. Marriage. New Philadelphia pastorate. Canton. Language question. The church-roll. Debt paying campaigns. Contributions of the Church. Improvements to property. Temperance agitations. Billy Sunday and the First Church. Writing this history. Ministerial activities. Religious and indus- trial forces of Canton. The men in the consistory.
XXIII. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL 180
Early days. Rev. Faust as a Sunday School man. Ear- lier ideals of Sunday School work. English introduced. The superintendents. Departments. Birthday offerings. . Growth since 1875. The present officers. The teachers.
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CONTENTS
PAGE
XXIV. THE SINGING, THE ORGAN AND THE CHOIR. .. 185
The first congregational singing. The first organ and organist. The second organ. The third organ. The present organ. The choir. The directors.
XXV. THE GERMAN SCHOOL .188
Why it was built. Theodore Mueller. Karr and Haushalter. Gruessie. B. F. Schwier. Rudolph Leonhart. The passing of the old building.
XXVI. THE GERMAN LADIES' AID SOCIETY 192 Early societies. Organization of present society. Pur- pose. Their good works. Death benefits. Faithful old officers.
XXVII. THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN EN- DEAVOR .195
Value of the society. Organization. Some early mem- bers. Flowers for the altar and the sick. Junior Society. List of presidents. Hard times. Present officers.
XXVIII. THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY .
.198
Why organized. Object. The sewing-circle. Visiting. Working for a classical organization. Organizing the Classical. Regular programs. The Auxiliary Woman's So- ciety. The Emma Ziemer Circle. Present officers of these societies. Former presidents.
XXIX. EXPANSION .202
Buying lots for a fourth church. Lowell Reformed. A site for a fifth church. Maple Ave. Sunday School. How the present churches propose to help.
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ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
1 First Reformed Church and Parsonage Frontispiece
2 Page of Sermon Outlines by Rev. Mahnenschmidt. 1
3 Rev. John Peter Mahnenschmidt. 8
4 Signature of all the Pastors. 16
5 The Church Erected in 1824 22
6 Sermon Outline by Rev. B. Faust. 28
7 Rev. Peter Herbruck at Forty-five Years 87
8 The Third Church Building Erected. 96
9 The Interior of the Third Building Erected 105
10 The Contents of the Corner Stone. 107
11 Trinity Reformed Church 114
12 Rev. Peter Herbruck, D.D. 121
13 Rev. John B. Rust, Ph.D., D.D. 124
14 Interior of Third Church Building after Remodeling 132
15 Rev. F. Strassner, D.D 139
16 Mrs. F. Strassner 139
17 The Grace Reformed Church 144
18 Rev. Frederick C. Nau 146
19 Rev. Theodore P. Bolliger 164
20 Interior View, Front, 1916. 173
21 Interior View, Rear, 1916 173
22 The Elders 179
23 The Deacons 179
24 The Sunday School Officers 180
25 The Adult Teachers
184
26 The Intermediate and Junior Teachers 184
27 The Primary Officers and Teachers 184
28 The German School 188
29 The Ladies' Aid Society 192
30 Officers and Charter Members of Ladies' Aid Society 194
31 The Former Christian Endeavor Presidents 195
32 The Woman's Missionary Society 198
33 The Presidents of the Woman's Missionary Society 201
34 The Proposed Lowell Reformed Church. 202
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PAGE OF SERMON OUTLINES BY REV. JOHN PETER MAHNENSCHMIDT Submitted to the Synod about 1815
CHAPTER I THE EARLIEST DAYS
T HE history of the First Reformed Church and of the city of Canton is closely interwoven. Both passed together through the hard, poverty-filled pioneer days; both entered together into a long period of slow growth and difficult prob- lems; and both attained to the goal of prosperity and large influence.
It is difficult for the present generation, surrounded by comforts, conveniences, and opportunities constantly multiply- ing, to imagine the hardships and struggles of the early days. At the beginning of the last century, deep, dark forests stretched in almost unbroken continuity where now are found the fertile fields, rich orchards and smiling gardens of Stark County. The Indian war-whoop still frequently resounded in the forests and human blood often flecked with crimson the innocent grasses and bushes. Wolves, bears, panthers, deer and other wild animals still roamed the woods; game birds of every description abounded, and all the common fur-bearing animals such as muskrats, minks, beavers, and otter were free- ly caught. Then-about 1805-the white man came.
. In 1805, Bezaleel Wells secured a tract of land about five miles square located about the forks of the Nimishillin which included the present location of Canton. The tract was sur- veyed and a site for a town selected and laid out in lots in 1806. During this year the first settlers arrived and the first cabins went up. After three years the number of inhabitants in Canton was only twenty-seven, though a considerable num- ber of settlers had taken up land in the surrounding country. Canton was then the western boundary of civilization. The mail was brought in only once a week from New Lisbon. The Postoffice was a drawer behind the bar of a tavern located on the square.
The first settlers were able to carry but a few things into.
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FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O.
the wilderness. Every convenience was lacking. Meal had to be ground by hand or was brought long distances on horse- back. The first iron stove was not brought in until about 1825. Before that cooking was generally done on the open fire. The teakettle hung on a crane; the skillet was set on the coals, potatoes were baked in the ashes and baking was done in rude- ly contrived ovens. Dishes were of pewter or, more likely, fashioned out of wood. The log-cabins consisted generally of a single room. Every inch of space was valuable, hence beds were built high so that the children's trundle-bed could be slipped underneath when not occupied. A tallow-candle, or the fire on the hearth, furnished the only light.
Though the Indians had given up all claim to the land east of the Tuscarawas River, it was still their custom to hunt and fish wherever fancy led them. They were also inveterate beggars, often appearing at lonely cabins, and by threatening miens, securing what they wanted. The women and children especially were kept in constant fear. Preceding the war of 1812 with England, the Indians were in a restless, ugly mood, for England was following its ancient custom of stirring up the aborigines against the settlers. After this second war was over, the Indians rapidly removed farther to the west and northwest, and all Indian danger was over.
Amid such conditions the First Reformed Church of Can- ton had its origin. The early settlers for the greater part were Germans who had pushed out into the wilderness from Pennsylvania and Maryland. These were nearly all Reformed or Lutheran. But few were the possessions which could be carried to their new homes, but among these few a Bible, pray- erbook, and often a hymnbook or a small volume of sermons was seldom lacking. During the first years the people were found but irregularly by a minister. Rev. John Staugh, a Lutheran minister, visited the new settlement and conducted a service as early as 1806. About the same time John Peter Mahnenschmidt, who was then serving several Reformed con- gregations in Washington County, Pennsylvania (southwest of Pittsburgh) also visited the people. Thereafter at long
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THE EARLIEST DAYS
intervals he would return and conduct services. In those days denominational barriers were not high nor menacing, and Reformed and Lutherans gladly met in one common service regardless of the denominational affiliations of the preacher. During the long intervals when no regular preacher was avail- able, the faithful ones were accustomed to gather together and conduct an informal service among themselves. A hymn or two would be sung without organ or any other musical instru- ment, a prayer would be offered or more commonly read, and someone would read a sermon, followed perhaps by a free word of exhortation. With another hymn the service would be closed. One of the early pioneers testifies to the influence of these gatherings in these words, "Many of those who wit- nessed these religious exercises in the then wilderness cannot have forgotten the zeal, the good feeling, the solemnity that was apparent. God smiled graciously on the first settlers and conferred on them many and rich blessings while employed in rearing homes in these wilds." On his first visits to Ohio, Mr. Mahnenschmidt informs us, that he preached in houses, school- houses, little log-cabins, barns, and even under the green trees "greatly to the joy of the people."
The first regular place in which services were conducted was the barn of Michael Rieth. The name is spelled "Reed" in all the published histories of Stark County. This spelling is incorrect. Both the father and the children wrote the name "Rieth" as can be seen in certain documents on record at the County Courthouse. The Rieth family settled in Canton in 1810, but the land was bought earlier. Mr. Rieth owned the quarter section just north and west of Twelfth Street and Maple Avenue, N. E. He had a large barn built of logs with a spacious threshing floor. This floor served as the auditor- ium. The conveniences offered were not such as would please our soft and delicate age. The pews were simply rough slabs hauled in from the sawmill and laid on a log support. The pulpit was probably formed by a log of proper length tipped on end. There was always a scarcity of hymn-books, and the preacher was generally obliged to read the hymns line by line,
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FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O.
waiting between lines for the audience to sing what had been read. All classes and conditions of men attended. The serv- ices offered a welcome opportunity not only to satisfy their religious needs; but also to gratify their social instincts, and discuss financial and agricultural affairs. When the weather was too cold to hold services in this barn, private houses and the large room of a tavern were occasionally substituted. The services were conducted by Rev. Staugh and Mr. Mahnen- schmidt as they had opportunity to visit our community. Some reminiscences of the first quarter century are worth preserving. In summertime the smaller boys and girls generally went to meeting barefooted. The youth of both sexes, however, desir- ing to make a more genteel appearance, would frequently carry their shoes and stockings along, slip into them just before reaching the meeting-place, and just as promptly slip them off again when the congregation scattered.
As John Peter Mahnenschmidt was the first Reformed preacher who conducted services in Canton, and since he gath- ered together the scattered Reformed believers and organized them into a congregation which still stands as a monument to his zeal and fidelity, and is counted today as the third oldest Reformed congregation in the State of Ohio; it is fitting that this chapter should close with a brief sketch of his career.
John Peter Mahnenschmidt was the third Reformed min- ister to settle permanently in the State of Ohio. He was born in western Pennsylvania in 1783. The place and county are no longer known. His father was a pious schoolmaster. From him the son early learned to love righteousness and hate iniqui- ty and to dedicate his life to the service of God. After thor- ough instruction in the Bible and the Catechism he was con- firmed when about sixteen. Until eighteen years of age John Peter worked for his father at home. After that we find him making his own way through life. In the summer he worked as day-laborer, during the winter he taught school in Somerset and Washington counties in south-western Pennsylvania. Dur- ing this time he became very active religiously. Wherever he lived he at once gathered the believers together in regular
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THE EARLIEST DAYS
meetings for prayer and the development of the spiritual life. Truly devoted to God himself, he never wearied in seeking out others and urging them to repentance; and the Lord largely blessed his efforts. The people strongly urged him to give himself to the work of the ministry, but he shrank from the thought under a deep sense of his own unworthiness. The struggle that ensued caused him great anxiety and many tears.
About this time while teaching school in Somerset County, a death occured in the neighborhood. As no minister was available, he was earnestly solicited to hold a funeral service. Though filled with fear and misgivings he finally consented, and conducted a service which gave great satisfaction. Nev- ertheless he still hesitated to decide for the sacred calling of the ministry. He was then nineteen years old.
Shortly after he went to Washington County to teach school. The Reformed minister of the community having died, the people soon urged him so earnestly to become their pastor that finally he consented and began to serve them regu- larly about 1806, when twenty-three years of age. The strug- gle to make the final decision had thus extended over a period of four years. These congregations in Washington County were served from 1806-11.
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