USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > A history of the First Presbyterian Church of Dayton, Ohio : from 1845 to 1880 > Part 6
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The earliest recorded collection was the sum of $403.03, to build a second place of worship. This sum was increased by subscription of the congregation to $6,514.12}-the cost of their new church, which was completed on the 27th of March, 1821, seven and one half years after the church had resolved to build. In February, 1839, the trustees of the Church were directed by the congregation to take down the church of 1821, and erect a new one. The new one was completed in the winter of 1841-2, at a cost of $14,213.08; and, as has already been stated, the church of 1873 cost about $100,000.00.
The first record of collections for charitable purposes is dated 1824, under the pastorate of the Rev. William Graham, amounting in a year to $38.50. In 1834, the benevolent contribution amounted to $413.00.
In 1844, it was $544.00; 1854, $1,237.00; 1864, $800.00; 1874, $731.00; 1880, $1,564.81.
The total collections for charities and general Church expenses were :
In 1850, $1,333.00; 1860, $2,851.00; 1870, $3,075.00; 1880, $5,066.81.
MISS MARY STRAIN.
Miss Mary Strain, and her sister Martha, were long con- nected with the First Church. Their father was one of the early pioneers, and kept a respectable tavern in Dayton long before the luxury of a modern hotel was known west of the Alleghanies. Their father, dying, left them com-
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fortably provided for, and they passed their lives quietly and most affectionately together, using their means dis- creetly, and enjoying their Church privileges with the greatest regularity, until prevented by the frailties of age. Mary survived her sister by a few years, and at her death, in 1871, it was found that she had bequeathed her resi- · dence to the First Church, to be used as a parsonage. She also left the Church $3,000-the aggregate of her bequest amounting to $9,000.
DICKINSON P. THRUSTON.
This gentleman, before his death, bequeathed to the Church an interest in some property that has already yielded over five hundred dollars. It is believed the Church will derive about twelve hundred dollars altogether from Mr. Thruston's bequest. He died in 1876.
ABRAHAM OVERLEASE.
Another staunch Presbyterian, left the Church a legacy of five hundred dollars. Two hundred dollars of the amount was to be appropriated for the benefit of the Sabbath-school.
Mr. Overlease died on the 25th of April, 1872.
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A SURVEY OF THE CHURCH.
From a discourse delivered by Dr. T. E. Thomas in April, 1870, preparatory to a collection for paying off the debt of the Church :
"On the whole, this survey of the history of our Church evinces the vitality and vigor of its organization, and the continued presence of that divine and blessed Spirit, from whom only that life and vigor flow. From a very small beginning, in an almost unbroken forest, out of which a savage foe had yet scarcely retreated, it has steadily advanced with the progress of the community around it, and exerts, to-day, perhaps as wide an influence as at any former period in its history. For almost three-quarters of a century, the public worship of God has been main- tained here without interruption. A pure gospel has been preached in simplicity and earnestness. The voice of prayer, and the hymn of praise, have ascended con- tintally to heaven. Your fathers, yourselves, and your children, have been taught here, from infancy, the words of everlasting life-the 'doctrine according to godliness.' God only knows-eternity only will reveal the full results of the Christian labor expended here in the seventy years past. The statistics just recorded unfold those results very imperfectly. Who can tell how many souls, here born again, or lifted to a higher plane of sanctification, have carried elsewhere a coal from your altar, to kindle new flames in other domestic and public sanctuaries? Who
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SURVEY OF THE CHURCH.
can trace, in our own and foreign lands, the streams of blessing which have followed the prayers and the alms here offered to heaven ? For all this let us thank God and take courage. But what prospect lies before us ? And how may we learn from the past to benefit the future ?
" First, after having built three houses of worship within sixty-seven years, two of them upon this spot, our church is now provided with a massive and beautiful structure, likely to stand for many generations, and furnishing all needful accommodations for all church work. If we ask, what effect, the completion of our place of worship will have upon the temporal and spiritual interests of the Church, we find an answer in her previous history. Twice before has she rebuilt her sanctuary; and each enlarge- ment has been followed by a marked increase of her con- gregation and communicants. Or, look at other churches around us, whose costly outlay for new temples has, in every case, constituted an era in their spiritual prosperity. Suppose, then, this debt liquidated, and our house so far completed; - what provision have we in our Church organization for the work that lies before us? First, we have the ministry of the word addressed to a growing congregation. Then, a Sabbath-school, amply provided, under competent and faithful officers and teachers to train the young in truth and duty. Next a Bible class, with over fifty on its roll, affording your pastor an opportunity to guide the younger adults to a knowledge of God's holy word. We have four stated assemblies for social service and mutual improvement in grace; one for our young
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ladies, one for the married ladies, one for young men, and one for the congregation generally. There is abundant material to sustain all these in effective operation. We have besides, a ladies' association for purposes purely social and benevolent, The influence of which, as exemplified during the past week, in bringing our whole congregation into true fellowship and earnest co-operation, can not but be most happy. What is chiefly needful, to secure for such an organization, the constant blessing of heaven in the conversion and sanctification of souls, is this : the faith- ful discharge of personal duty by each individual in his proper place, under that spiritual supervision and direction which the Head of the Church has ordained. Let each member, old and young, maiden, man or mother, find a place in such of these assemblies, as are befitting, and be found there always, Providence permitting, ready to lend an humble but cordial co-operation in all good works. Let our perpetual prayer be lifted up for the gracious in-dwelling of the Holy Comforter; let our motto be, FIDELITY IN OUR LOT; and our future history shall be that of the primitive believers, recorded by the pen of inspiration :
"""Then had the Church rest, and was edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, was multiplied.'" Acts 9:31.
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OLD BURYING GROUND.
THE OLD BURYING GROUND.
Dayton was laid out and settled in 1795. The first immi- grants lived in log cabins, which were used for public worship in the winter time, in the summer religious services were conducted in the open air, under the shade of the forest trees. M. E. Curwen, in his history of Ohio, says the Rev. John Thompson, of Hamilton County, was the first clergyman that preached in Dayton. It has been already stated that Mr. D. C. Cooper donated two pieces of ground to the Presbyterian Church, the one on the north-east corner of Main and Third Streets, was sold, and the pro- ceeds used in building the first church, on Ludlow Street. The other piece was the old burying ground, on the south side of Fifth Street, through which Wilkinson Street was recently opened. In process of time, the old grave-yard became densely populated, and as the rapidly growing city encroached on its sacred precincts, measures were taken to provide another and more retired place of burial, Woodland Cemetery was dedicated in 1843.
Subsequently the city council of Dayton passed a sani- tary ordinance, putting a stop to any further interments within the city limits. The old burying ground with its dilapidated fence, crumbling tombstones, and sunken graves was for a long time supposed to have achieved its destiny, and had almost ceased to be thought of, except as the solemn relic of a by-gone age; but its mission had not all been fulfilled, as the sequel will show. In 1869, the con-
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gregation of the First Church were much embarrassed for want of funds to complete their new house of worship. The cost of building had far exceeded the original esti- mates. Money was scarce, owing to a general paralysis in the business interests of the country, and it seemed as if the work on the church would have to be postponed indefinitely. At this critical juncture a ray of light broke through the dark cloud, a sympathetic voice from the tombs reached the ear of a discerning trustee, and the voice said, substantially, "Child of mortality! whence comest thou, and why is thy countenance sad? Dost thou not know that thy fathers, in their life time, honored God with their substance, and thinkest thou that, though dead, they will not delight to honor him with their dust also -seeing that dust has turned to gold. Go to." The Daniels of the First Church had no difficulty in compre- hending the secret import of this communication. Soon afterward the bones of the fathers were carefully and reverently transferred to a more quiet resting place, in the beautiful cemetery of Woodland, together with their monu- mental memorials and all other evidences of identity. The mouldering earth of their clay tabernacles was then sold to the highest bidder for $32,000, which sum enabled the Building Committee to proceed joyfully with their work. Eight thousand dollars of the above amount was paid to the heirs of the Cooper estate, to secure a relin- quishment of their claims to any interest in the property that might arise by reversion or otherwise.
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CHURCH ORGANIZATION.
CHURCH ORGANIZATION.
The organization of the First Church is very complete. In addition to the congregational boards, already men- tioned, there are the
The Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society.
The Ladies' Home Missionary Society.
The Ladies' Church Society. The Young Ladies' Mission Band.
The Female Prayer Meeting.
The Young People's Prayer Meeting. The Congregational Prayer Meeting. The Dayton View Mission Sabbath-school.
Almost all the gentlemen of the congregation are organ- ized into separate committees- committees of ways and means for promoting the varied interests of the Church in the best way possible. The following is a list of the committees :
Committee on Strangers : WILLIAM BARNETT, Chairman.
Committee on Sabbath-schools :
A. F. PAYNE, Chairman.
Committee on Young People's Prayer Meeting :
JOHN H. THOMAS, Chairman.
Committee on Finance :
E. A. PARROTT, Chairman.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Committee on the Poor of the Church :
FRANK MULFORD, Chairman.
Committee on Home Missions :
JOHN F. EDGAR, Chairman.
Committee on Board of Education, Relief Fund, Sustentation, Freed- men, Church Erection, and Publication :
C. U. RAYMOND, Chairman.
Committee on Foreign Missions :
LEIGH RICHMOND SMITH, Ch'n.
The ladies of the First Church contributed the past year to Foreign and Domestic Missions, one half of the whole amount raised by the congregation.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES -OF-
PROMINENT CHRISTIANS
FORMERLY CONNECTED WITH
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, OF DAYTON.
JOHN MILLER.
John Miller, one of the earliest trustees and elders of the First .Church, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, December 30th, 1766. In his early man- hood, he removed to Kentucky, where he was a member of the "Cherry Springs Congregation"-Presbyterian. In the spring of 1799 he removed to a farm, west of the Miami River, near the town of Dayton, where he resided some years, but afterwards removed to a farm, some three miles north of town, on which he resided the remainder of his life. His name appears as one of the trustees in the early organization of the First Presbyterian Church, in Dayton, and in the list of elders in the first record which is found of the eldership, but at what date he was inducted into that office does not appear. The records show him a faith- ful and attentive officer of the Church, and the tradition is that he was an exemplary and influential citizen and
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church-member up to the date of his death, October 17th, 1825. After his death, his family (except his daughter, Sarah, who was then intermarried with O. B. Conover), removed to Indiana and Illinois, where they, with their descendants, have generally kept up their connection with the Church of their fathers.
OBADIAH B. CONOVER.
Obadiah Burlew Conover was a native of New Jersey, to which part of the new world his ancestors (Covenhoven, by name, and Protestant, in religion,) had immigrated at an early day. He was born, April 12th, 1788, on a farm, near what is now known as the "old brick church," near Middletown Point, Monmouth County, New Jersey. His parents were members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was educated strictly in that faith. No special incidents of his boyhood are known. Soon after he became of age, having faithfully given the, then, usual time to learning thoroughly a trade -- that of blacksmithing-he determined to come to the west, and, in 1812, located in Dayton, Ohio, and continued diligently and thriftily to carry on his trade, including the manufacture of wagons, plows, and all farm- ing implements. for a number of years, until exposure, and over-exertion, at the fire of Cooper's Mills, so affected his health that he was forced to engage in less laborious business.
The record of Church-membership, prior to 1817, is lost, but it is certain that he connected himself with the
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First Presbyterian Church shortly after his arrival in Day- ton. He married April 13th, 1814, Sarah Miller, daughter of John Miller, then a ruling elder in that Church. He was himself inducted into that office in June, 1823, and continued a most active and influential member and officer until his death, January 6th, 1835. Although of limited education or school training in early life, he was a man of great-good sense, thoughtful and observant, and acquired that practical knowledge and judgment which, with his character for fair and honest dealing, in and out of the Church, gave him much influence as a church officer and citizen. He was a diligent reader and student of the scriptures. Believing implicitly in their truth, and that the teachings and organization of the Presbyterian Church were in accord therewith, he was a regular attendant on and participant in its services, and gave his best influence and efforts to advance its interests and prosperity but with- out bigotry or unkindness toward other denominations.
In all other relations of life, he bore the reputation of a diligent, upright, and true man, seeking carefully to know his duties, and as faithfully and fearlessly to discharge them.
Sarah Conover, daughter of John and Jane Miller, was born in Kentucky, October 22d, 1794, and came with her parents to Dayton in 1799. Her marriage with Obadiah B. Conover took place April 13th, 1814, both being members of the First Presbyterian Church, of which her father was an elder. In all the work done by women in the Church and its societies, she took a more active part in the life-
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time of her husband than in later years, but lived the many years thereafter allotted her, a consistent and exem- plary Christian life, deeply interested in the welfare and prosperity of the Church of which she had so long been a member.
She died in the fullness of years and of faith, January 12th, 1872.
MRS. ELIZA S. PHILLIPS.
Mrs. Eliza S. Phillips, wife of Horatio Gates Phillips, was the daughter of Wm. Churchill Houston, of New Jersey, and came with her husband to Ohio about the year 1804, in the 21st year of her age. Descended from a long line of Presbyterian ancestors, prominent among whom was her great-grandfather, Rev. Mr. Dickinson (first presi- dent of Princeton College), she was a devoted member of that communion, yet was she neither narrow or sectarian in her faith. All Christians were dear to her. Her brother, George S. Houston, a then resident of Dayton, was united with the Methodists, and through him she was much asso- ciated with the members of his society. Dayton then had but the two churches-the Presbyterian and Methodist. There was a small band of Episcopalians in 1825, who held services in the old court-house whenever a minister passed through that would officiate. She possessed her own prayer book, with her name in full on the back, which she had procured in an eastern city, where she ever felt it a privi- lege to attend the churches of the venerable Bishop White
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and Rev. Mr. Bedell. Although always delicate in health, she was an active working Christian, a teacher in the Sunday-school, a corresponding secretary of several socie- ties for furthering the gospel at home and abroad. Day- ton in early times was for several years visited with epi- demic fevers; town and country suffered alike. Well does the writer remember how Mrs. Phillips labored in minis- tering to the sick, weeks and months together, all her household being pressed into the service. Sometimes the task was a thankless one, but that never hindered. The. poor and the needy were her special charge, feeling, no doubt, that as the good things of this world were bounti- fully given to her, it was her duty to share with the less fortunate. Her hospitality is well known, but to none was it more freely extended than to the ministers of her be- loved Church, for whom there was a room in her house set apart. We may say these are homely, ever-day virtues, but how few among us live up to this good example. Her kind heart for the distressed will be best shown by re- · ferring to one sad case, the unfortunate child of a dear friend. She felt for him a tender interest, and did every- thing in her power that might minister to his pleasure. He was her frequent companion in country drives, either on business or to see the sick, and when, by an inscrutable Providence, she was suddenly removed from her earthly home to a better in the skies, this poor child of sorrow would come day after day, to her desolate home, wander through the rooms, calling her name in his imperfect way, sad and touching for the bereaved to hear. She delighted
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in flowers. That respected man, so well remembered, John Van Cleve, and herself would roam the neighboring prai- ries in search of rare plants-she in her gig, he on foot; the one as great an enthusiast as the other. It would fill a small book to tell of the resources of her gifted nature. Identified as she was with all the home enterprises of those early days, so entirely one with the interests of all classes in her vicinity, the portrait of her life would be giving the early history of Dayton. Doubtless many good and pious women have succeeded her, but the writer has never per- sonally known one so unselfish, so blind to the faults of others, so forgiving of injuries, so abounding in good works.
Soon after coming to Dayton her husband had an attack of fever, and would have moved to the South, but, being strongly opposed to slavery, she prevailed upon him to re- main in Ohio, where they could enjoy the benefit of a large land-grant that his father, Captain Jonathan Phillips, had obtained from the government for his services in the war of the Revolution. Her husband often said he owed all his success in life to her prudence, good counsel and devo- tion. Mrs. Phillips left one son, J. Dickinson Phillips, and two daughters, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Worthington, and Marianne, the wife of Col. John G. Lowe. Mr. J. D. Phil- lips died several years ago, but his family and the family of Mrs. Lowe still maintain their connection with the First Church.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ROBERT EDGAR.
Robert Edgar, whose name is prominent in the early records of the First Church of Dayton, was born at Win- chester, Virginia. His father, also named Robert, belonged to a Presbyterian family in the north of Ireland. In 1739 he emigrated to this country, and joined the Scotch-Irish settlement in the Shenandoah Valley. He afterward mov- ed with his family to West Virginia, and was killed by the Indians while on his way to warn a neighboring settlement of the hostile red men's approach. Robert Edgar Jr., came to Dayton in 1796, and located on land east of the city. He was a farmer, but, being ingenious, he built a mill for Mr. D. C. Cooper, and managed it for a short period. His first dwelling was a log cabin that stood near the mill, close to the present canal bridge on Water Street. The Indians then living in the Miami Valley were well disposed towards the first settlers, and often called on Mrs. Edgar to get some of her bread, which they were very fond of. They were also fond of Mr. Edgar's whisky. Piety and punch had not been divorced in those days as they are now. An Indian came to the mill one day to get some whisky, but Mr. E. positively refused. The Indian drew his knife, at sight of which Mr. Edgar started for his house in order to get his rifle. The pursuing savage was knocked down by one of the mill hands, the arm in which he held the knife was broken, and this put a stop to further hostilities.
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Mr. Edgar purchased a tract of land on the south-eastern border of the city, well known as the "Edgar Farm," and now occupied by his great-grandchildren. He had eleven children, only one of whom, John F. Edgar, is now living. He died December 19, 1838. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Gillespie, died in 1844. Both were earnest Christians, and faithful in training their children in conformity with the strict requirements of the old Pres- byterian code.
The Church records show that Mr. Edgar was an active and devoted member of the Church from the first mention of its organization in Dayton until the time of his death. He was a member of the First Board of Trustees, and was much interested in building the first house of worship. His worthy and well-known son, John F. Edgar, is an elder in the First Church.
Among the interesting relics of his father is the cavalry sword used by the latter, during his service in the war of 1812.
JUDGE JAMES STEELE.
James Steele was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, October 28th, 1778. He was of Scotch-Irish parentage, the Steele family having emigrated from the north of Ireland and settled in Virginia in 1737. His father, Robert Steele, removed with his family to Kentucky in 1788. James Steele came to Dayton in 1807, and engaged in merchandizing in connection with Joseph Peirce, whose sister he married. Both his grandfather and father were
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ruling elders in the Presbyterian Church, and with such an ancestry, on coming to Dayton, he naturally at once identified himself with the Church, and was active in pro- moting its interests. He was a member of the Board of Trustees when the first and second buildings were erected on the lot on which the present church stands. He was especially interested in the building of the second house, and gave to it much of his time and personal attention. The house was just completed when he died, in 1841.
The following obituary notice, written by the late Judge Crane and published in the Dayton Journal, shows the estimation in which he was held by his fellow-citizens :
" The deceased was one of the early settlers of this city. He filled various important public stations, having been fourteen years an associate judge of this county, a senator four years in the Legislature of this State, and, in 1824, one of the electors for President and Vice-President of the United States for the State of Ohio. He was president of the Dayton bank from the time of its first organization up to the end of his life. In all the relations of life, public or private, his character was irreproachable. On the bench he was distinguished for good sense, integrity, and impar- tiality. As a legislator, in a period of great public excite- ment, though firm and consistent in his political opinions, he won the esteem and respect of his opponents by his candor and moderation. His private life was not more marked by strict and unyielding integrity than by the kindness and benignity of his nature to all his fellow- creatures. His death was sudden and unlooked for, but
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he was an humble and devoted Christian, and his life had been a preparation for that awful event."
From the records of the Church of which Judge Steele was a member and office-bearer, and from the concurrent testimony of those who knew him in youth and manhood, it would appear that a germ of divine righteousness was planted in his spirit, with birth itself, which budded pleas- antly in youth, and, in riper age, gave forth its rich blos- soms and fruits.
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