USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A complete history of Fairfield County, Ohio > Part 13
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The Society subsequently built a two-story log church edi- fice on the site of their present brick building, sometimes spoken of as the Canal Church. Subsequently this log struc- ture was removed, and a two-story brick substituted. This was destroyed by fire in 1846. This church was incorporated by act of the Legislature in 1840. The names of the incor- porators were : Henry Arnold, Geo. W. Bantler, Christian Baesster, Christian Baughman, Henry Orman, Philip Bope and Coonrod Crumley.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
After the burning of the brick church in 1846, the German members purchased the ground and built the present church building. The ministers who have filled the pulpit since the retirement of Rev. John Wagenhals were: Rev. H. Burcher, Rev. Leon Hart, Rev. Speilman and Rev. Mechling, present pastor. Present membership, 600.
FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH OF LANCASTER.
The first English Lutheran Church of Lancaster was organ- ized as a distinctive congregation, in the year 1843, with a constituent membership of about twenty persons. The or- ganization was effected by the withdrawal of the English members from the parent church of St. Peter's, in part. For about three years after the separation, the two societies con- tinued to worship in the same house. After the building was burned, in 1846, the English, having sold out their interest to the Germans, purchased ground on Columbus street, and erected upon it the same church edifice in which they now meet. The house was built in 1846. The succession of pastors, from 1843 to 1876, has been as follows :
Rev. John McCron, one year; Rev. Charles F. Shaeffer, three years ; Rev. A. J. Weddle, three years ; Rev. L. Kizer, one year ; Rev. J. Hamilton, two years ; Rev. J. F. Reindmond, seven years; Rev. Samuel Sprecher, two years; Rev. N. J. Knisely, two years ; Rev. Charles Steck, one year; Rev. John B. Helwig, four years ; Rev. John O. Hough, one year ; Rev. G. W. Halderman, six years.
The membership in 1876 is computed at about two hundred persons, there remaining in the body about half a dozen of the original members. The foregoing statements have been furn- ished me by the present pastor, Rev. G. W. Halderman.
GERMAN REFORM CHURCH.
I am indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Emanuel Giesy, for the following synopsis of the history of the German Reform Church in Lancaster, which he obtained from the church records. I insert his letter entire :
DR. H. SCOTT: The following notes may be of use to you, as in reply to your request. The German Reform Church of Lancaster was organ- ized by the Rev. George Wise, about the first of October, 1816, with twenty members, and he continued to be its pastor up to the year 1838. During that time he also preached to other congregations in Ross, Pick- away, Hocking, Perry, Licking and Franklin counties.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
In March, 1818, the congregation purchased a lot in Carpenter's Addi- tion, on Columbus street, and built a house of worship, which was first used as a school-house, but was, in 1832, dedicated to the service of God as a house of worship. In this house the congregation continued to worship until 1845, in which year their new church on Chestnut street being completed, they moved into it. Mr. Wise was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Willard, who filled the pulpit six years, and was succeeded by Rev. Jesse Steiner. He was succeeded by Rev. Jeremiah Good, who served the congregation three years ; and was succeeded by Rev. Henry Brinkerhoff, serving the congregation two years; and was suc- ceeded by Rev. John Rike, who died in the midst with his armor fully polished. Mr. Rike was succeeded by Rev. P. D. Schory ; and he by Rev. G. W. Meckling, who was succeeded by Rev. H. Hockman. After him came Rev. John Swander, who was followed by Rev. L. Strassman ; and on the first of April, 1872, the Rev. Wm. Hale, the present pastor, settled in the congregation. The name of the church edifice was, short- ly after the coming of Mr. Hale, changed to Grace Reform Church. The present membership is 225.
Respectfully, E. GIESY.
THE IMMANUEL'S CHURCH.
The first German Evangelical Lutharan congregation of unaltered Ogsburg confession was organized in Lancaster, O., on January 31st, 1849, the constituent members being twelve in number Rev. F. W. Richman was the first pastor. Suc- ceeding him have been the following ministers, in the order in which their names occur. The dates refer to the year when each pastor took charge :
Rev. J. P. Kalb took charge in 1852; Rev. F. W. Faclinger in 1857 ; Rev. J. L. Daib in 1868; Rev. M. Merz in 1859 ; Rev. J. F. Niethamer in 1885 ; Rev. E. J. Fredrick in 1866 ; Rev. G Sclum in 1869; Rev. C. A. Frank in 1870; Rev. E. Kaeler in 1873; Rev. C. A. Frank again in 1876.
This church was constituted by withdrawing members from St. Peters' Lutheran Church, in the year 1849. The primary object of the withdrawal. as set forth, was, to institute purely German services. Immediately after the separation, the members of Immanuel's Church purchased a lot on Chestnut street, between Broad and High streets, and proceeded forth- with to erect a church building, which being completed, was dedicated as a house of worship in 1852.
This organization recognizes a voting qualification, viz. : only male members of the age of twenty-one years and upwards exercise that franchise. Of these, there are in the congrega- tion seventy. The communing members of the congregation, in 1876, upon the return of Rev. Mr. Frank, numbered two
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hundred and fifty-five. The children of the congregation at the same time numbered about fifty. Rev. C. A. Frank, pistor.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
LETTER OF HON. P. B. EWING.
" St. Mary's Church of Lancaster, Ohio .- There were Catholic families among the very earliest settlers of the town and county.
" From 1820 to 1822, the first Catholic Church, a small frame build- ing, was completed at the foot of Chestnut street.
' In 1841 the brick church on the north-east corner of High and Chest- nut streets was completed for occupancy.
" In 1864 the new church, the large and elegant edifice now occupied by the congregation, was completed. In the same year the old brick church was remodeled for use as a parochial school.
" A small frame building for a pastoral residence was built in 1844, adjoining the old brick church. This building was removed to the east- ern side of the church property, and a substantial brick addition made thereto in 1868, making the present pastoral residence.
"Until 1839 the congregation was under the care of the Dominican Fathers of St Joseph's, Perry County. In that year the Rev. J. M. Young was sent by the Bishop of Cincinnati, and remained in charge for fifteen years, until 1854. when he was promoted to. the new See of Erie. He was succeeded here by the Rev. Henry Lange, who remained for ten years, and until his death early in 1864. Rev. J. W. Brummer was temporarily in charge for a few months, and was succeeded in August by Rev. Bernard Evers, who, on account of failing health, returned to Cin- cinnati in the early part of the next year, where he died soon after.
" Rev. Dr. Daniel O'Regan came in May, 1865, and was here some- thing more than two years, when ill-health compelled him to relinquish labor. He joined his family in Dubuque, Iowa, and died there.
" The next in order was Rev. F. J. Rudolph, who remained from July, 1867, until May, 1868, when, on the division of the Diocese of Cincin- nati, he preferred to retire to that part of it remaining under the Arch- bishop of Cincinnati.
"Rev. Louis Decailly came in 1868, and remained until the early part of 1874, when he was transferred to Newark, and was succeeded here by Rev. N. E. Pilger. Father Pilger remained only a few months, when he was transferred to Delaware, and Rev. J. B. Schmidt took charge of the congregation, where he still remains.
"In June, 1875, Rev. Gabriel Volkert was assigned as assistant pastor, and served until his death here in September of the same year, when Rev. F. J. Campbell was appointed to the place.
" The Parochial School has an average attendance of two hundred and twenty, who are instructed by a corps of four Dominican Sisters, and one male teacher for the large boys.
" The St. Mary's congregation, aggregating about sixteen hundred souls, numbers 260 families, with an annual average of fifteen marriages, and seventy-five baptisms.
" Missions .- As the Lancaster congregation increased in numbers, it was found desirable to establish three mission churches in the southern part of the county. Afterwards a resident priest was assigned to their exclusive care.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
" At the 'Sacred Heart' Chapel, near Bremen, there are twenty-eight families ; at 'St. Joseph's,' near Sugar Grove, there are thirty-two fami- lies; and forty families at the chapel of 'Our Lady of Good Hope,' in the south-eastern corner of the county."
OMISH MENNONITE CHURCH.
To Joseph Kurtz, of Pleasant Township, I am indebted for valuable aid in collecting notes of history of this religious de- nomination in Fairfield County, sometimes improperly called the "Ormish Church."
Simon Menno was a Catholic priest of Switzerland, where he was born in the town of Friesland, in Mitmarsum, in the year 1495. At the breaking out of the reformation of the six- teenth century, he dissented from the Catholic church, and be- came the compeer of Luther, Malangthon, Zwinglius, and others, in carrying on that great work. He soon secured a numerous constituency, among whom, of his immediate dis- ciples, were also many learned and influential men. Hence the denomination known as Mennonites.
JACOB AMEN.
Jacob Amen was also a native of Switzerland, and a zealous preacher of the Mennonite doctrine. He flourished during the seventeenth century. He was not the founder of a sect, strictly, though he taught some views differing with Simon Meno, thereby securing personal followers. This was the origin of the Omish, or Amish Church, the name deriving from Jacob Amen ; and in the United States the title they assume is that of Omish Mennonite. They maintain a distinct church organization, nevertheless. In 1848, there were estimated to be in the United States one hundred and twenty-five thousand Mennonites, including the adherents of Jacob Amen.
The Omish Mennonite Order have some distinctive views and practices that merit special mention. They administer baptism by pouring. They hold war to be forbidden by the au- thority of Christ. They pay no fixed salaries to their preach- ers. They will not take an oath, nor resist force by force. They do not allow one of their members to become a public charge, but provide for the poor within the church. Any member in regular standing has the right to speak in the public congregation, and expound the Scriptures. In gen-
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eral doctrine, such as the incarnation, the atonement, the trinity, and regeneration by the new, or spiritual birth, they are accredited as being orthodox. Their public worship is conducted similar to all other orthodox denominations of the Evangelical branches of the Christian Church.
The Omish Mennonite Church took its origin in Fairfield County in 1834. The principal settlement of them has been in Pleasant and Berne townships. In former years they were more numerous than at present, their numbers having diminished chiefly by moving away. They have at present no church building, but hold their meetings in private houses.
Within the history of the church in Fairfield County, the following preachers have resided among them : David Zook, Bishop ; Jonathan Zook, Jacob Hartzler, Rev. Gingrich, David Hartzler. Joseph Yoder and Solomon Stutzman. At present, May, 1877, Jonathan Zook is their preacher.
They assume the plain, or Quaker garb, and are everywhere recognized by their dress. Their intercourse is at all times friendly and assuring ; and in their dealings they are faithful, and, as a rule, strictly reliable. This is a cardinal part of their religion. Sober and temperate in their lives, they com- mand the confidence and respect of the community. As a rule, they are industrious and frugal, and it would be very rare to find an idler among that people, commonly spoken of as the "Ormish." By common reputation, the Omish women have acquired the reputation of being very superior butter- makers. And such is their known faithfulness, that the word of an Ormish man is always current in all his contracts.
THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION (ALBRIGHTS).
The denomination commonly spoken of as "Albrights," but properly the Evangelical Association, had its beginning as a distinctive church organization first in the State of Pennsyl- vania, about the year 1800. The first members were called "Albrecht's Leute" (Albright people), after Jacob Albright, the founder of the church. Mr. Albright was converted in 1790, and during the succeeding ten years preached and exhorted more or less until, about 1800, he had a great many followers, when he founded a society with the above title. At first the membership was confined to the Germans, because all their services were held in that language.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
In doctrine and creed the " Association " is Armenian and Evangelical. Their itenerancy and forms of government, as likewise their modes of worship, are very much like the Methodists. From their organization, and during their weak- ness in numerical force, they suffered the usual persecutions of new sects, until now, in 1877, they have acquired a strength and popularity that places them among the leading Protestant denominations of the world.
The following letter, kindly prepared for me by Rev. Andrew Swartz, furnishes the history of the Evangelical Association in Fairfield County :
DR. H. SCOTT : The following is a condensed history of the Evangel- ical Association in Fairfield County :
In the year A. D. 1816, the first missionary visited this county, viz. : Frederick Shower, father of the Shower brothers who are now doing a successful business in the shoe and boot trade in Lancaster.
He commenced operations on Big Rush Creek, among the Swartz and Einsel families. An organization was soon formed in that neighbor- hood, followed by others in Greenfield and Liberty townships. After a few years the first circuit was formed, bearing the name of Lancaster Circuit, but embracing portions of Fairfield, Hocking, Ross, Pickaway and Franklin counties.
For a number of years the meetings of the society were held prin- cipally in private houses. The first church edifice of the denomination in this county was erected on the land of Mr. John Bright, on Poplar Creek, Liberty Township, about the year 1830. For the first forty years of her labors among our population, her exercises were conducted almost exclusively in the German language, and as a consequence her increase in membership was not as rapid as might have been expected, had the religious exercises been conducted in the language of our country.
About twenty years ago the Pennsylvania element of our church, which formed the basis of the several societies in the county, waked up to the importance of saving the youth for the church of their choice, and yielded their own preference in language for the benefit of their children. The growth and development of the denomination has been more rapid since said change was effected. Old societies have been strengthened, and a number of new ones formed. The denomination now numbers fifteen societies in Fairfield County, each one having their own house of worship; and there are now five resident pastors in the county.
The denomination has its strongest hold in Liberty Township, where, in the last two years, over eight thousand dollars have been raised for new church edifices. 1
There is a Sabbath-School in connection with almost every society, into which schools nearly one thousand children and youth are gathered every Sabbath. By this it will be seen, that the Evangelical Associa- tion has a bright future in Old Fairfield. That she may live and pros- per, and be made a great blessing to our population for all time, is the earnest wish, sincere desire, and fervent prayer of the writer.
Respectfully, ANDREW SWARTZ.
May 26th, 1877.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
DUNKER CHURCH.
I obtain the following history of the Dunker denomination of Christians in Fairfield County from John Hunsacker, of Rush Creek Township, he having been a preacher and bishop in the order for many years. The society at one time numbered about one hundred members, but at present, viz .: in May, 1877, their number is reduced to about seventy, chiefly by emigration. They have three church buildings-one, a mile and a quarter south of Bremen; one, eight miles south-west of Bremen ; and one on Durbin Run, five miles south-west from Bremen. The title they assume is, the " Brethren Church," the name Dunker, or Tunker, having been applied to them de- risively, as will presently be seen. There is no other society of the Brethren in Fairfield County besides that on Rush Creek and the Raccoon.
They have been styled ' Die Tœufer," or Baptists, the German words, Die Tœufer, meaning to dip, because they baptize by dipping, or plunging under the water. The ordinance is ad- ministered by the candidate kneeling in the water, while the administrator plunges the body forward, head foremost, three times, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost ; hence Tœufer, or dipper. For the same reason they have sometimes been called tumblers.
The origin of the order was in Germany, soon after the be- ginning of the great reformation; and from their mode of bap- tism they were sometimes called German Baptists. Their first emigration to America was in the fall of 1819, when about twenty families came over and landed first in Philadelphia.
The denomination has peculiarities that deserve special mention. First, their general doctrines are Armenian. They have no written or published creed, but take their title from Matt. xxiii, 8-"One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." Their dress is the plain Quaker garb. They like- wise use a plain and unostentatious form of speech. They will neither take an oath nor go to war. They do not go to law, nor take interest for money loaned. [This rule has been modified so that sometimes now they take lawful interest, but never from their poorer brethren .- ED.] The men commonly wear their beards long. They celebrate the Lord's Supper with love-feast, washing of feet, kiss of charity and the right-hand
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
of fellowship. They also anoint the sick that they may re- cover.
In referring to this denomination, the Rev. E. Winchester, English Missionary, says : " They are industrious, sober, temp- erate, kind, charitable people, envying not the great, nor des- pising the mean. They read much ; they sing and pray much ; they are constant attendants upon the worship of God. Their dwelling-houses are all houses of prayer. They walk in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly, both in public and private. They bring up their children in the nur- ture and admonition of the Lord. The law of kindness is in their mouths ; no sourness nor moroseness disgraces their re- ligion; and whatsoever they believe their Savior commands, they practice, without inquiring or regarding what others do." It is their custom, and they hold it a religious duty, at their big meetings, to spread a large table and feed the " multitude."
The first establishment of the Dunker, or Brethren denom- ination, in Fairfield County, was about the year 1809, on Rush Creek and the Raccoon in the eastern part; and the number of the constituent members was about twenty-five. The fol- lowing are the names of the principal members at that time : Casper Hufford and wife; Isaac Beery and wife; John Beery and wife; Henry Beery and wife; Solomon Hufford and wife; Daniel Hartsough and wife; George Bright and wife; Freder- ick Friezner and wife; Jacob Hunsaker and wife; Abraham Beery and wife; Jacob Stoner and wife; John Miricle and wife ; Abraham Hufford and wife; Sally Hartsough; and per- haps a few others not remembered.
Their first religious meetings were held in the cabins of the members, respectively.
Their first preachers were (they do not use the prefix Rev.) : Elijah Schofield and Jacob Staley. Sometime after the organi- zation, George Bright and Isaac Beery were chosen as their paeachers ; and, subsequently, Daniel Snider often came from Perry County and preached for them.
In 1938, Philip Stoneburner was established in the church, and continued to preach about ten years, and was succeeded by John Hunsacker, who continued until 1857, when he was ordained Bishop, and continued until 1871. Joseph Hendricks was chosen preacher in 1851, and ordained in 1857. Between 1871 and 1877, Daniel Hartsough, Michael Moore, Abraham
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Stemen and John Hufford supplied the congregation as their preachers.
"The German Baptists, or Brethren (Dunkers), have dis- persed themselves almost through every State in the Union, more or less, but they are most numerous in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and Indiana. It would be difficult to give a regular statistical account of these people, as they make it no part of their duty to keep an exact account of the number of their communicants. None of their ministers receive any pecuniary compensation for any ser- vices they perform pertaining to the ministry. * *
Their ministers will not perform the rites of marriage if there are lawful impediments against it in the parties."
PROBATE JUDGES.
The office of Probate Judge, in Ohio, was created in 1852 by the provisions of the new State Constitution adopted in that year. The functions of this Court were previously performed by the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and by the Asso- ciate Judges. Marriage licenses, previous to the Constitution of 1852, were issued by the Clerk of the Court.
The first Probate Judge elected was Joel Rodibaugh, in 1852. Before his term expired he resigned, and Jesse Leohner was ap- pointed to serve out the time. In 1854, Virgil E. Shaw was elected, and held the office three years. In 1857, Jesse Loehner was elected, and re-elected the two succeeding terms, serving, in all, nine years, or up to 1866. In 1866, Abram Seifert was elected, and re-elected in 1868, bringing the time up to 1872, when Wm. T. Rigley was elected-and again in 1875-and is the present incumbent. The term of the office, as fixed by the Constitution, is three years.
CLERKS OF COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
Hugh Boyl was appointed Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Fairfield County at its first session in 1803, and served uninterruptedly until about 1833, when Dr. M. Z. Kreider was appointed in his place, who served up to 1842. Joel Rodibaugh was then appointed, and held the office until the adoption of the new Constitution, in 1852. By the pro- visions of the new Constitution, the Clerkship became an
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
elective office, and Martin Cagy was first elected, and served the first Constitutional term of three years. John Radibaugh succeeded him, serving also three years. John C. Rainey was next elected for the two succeeding terms, aggregating six years. After him Jesse Vandemark held the office six years, followed by Chas. F. Rainey six years, his second term expir- ing in February, 1876. In October, 1875, George Grabill was elected, assuming his office upon the expiration of Mr. C. F. Rainey's second term, in February, 1876.
Hugh Boyl continued Clerk of the Supreme Court until the time of his death.
SHERIFFS.
Edward B. Thompson, 1824 to 1828. |Wm. Potter, 1854.
George D. Sites, 1828 to 1832, V
Nathan Wetherby, 1832 to 1834. Silas Tam, 1834 to 1838. Thomas Edingfield, 1838. Samuel Ewing, 1840. 66 1842.
Elias Perry, 1844. 66 1846. Oliver H. Perry, 1848. 1850.
James Weaver, 1852.
Aaron W. Ebright, 1856. 1858.
James Miller, 1860. 66 1862. Emanuel Shisler, 1864. 1866. John D. Jackson, 1868. 66 1870.
William Bush, 1872. 66 1874. George See, 1876.
Among those known to have served as Sheriffs of Fairfield County previous to 1820, is George Sanderson and William Crook, but whose term of office, or the exact date, I have been unable to fix.
TREASURERS.
The office of County Treasurer, properly, was created by law in 1828. Previous to that time, tax collectors were appointed by the County Commissioners, viz. : from 1802 to 1827. Dur- ing that time of twenty-five years, the taxes were so collected and paid over to the treasurers, who, I believe, were also ap- pointed, but I have been able to learn only two or three of their names from tradition, the only source of information in the absence of records. Since 1828, the list of County Treas- urers for Fairfield County stands as follows :
10
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
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