USA > Ohio > A history of the church of the Brethren, Northeastern Ohio > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
Death of Elder Jacob H. Kurtz.
1837-1912.
On the afternoon of Feb. 10, 1912, after an illness of four days, with valvular heart trouble, occasioned by a bad cold, Elder Jacob H. Kurtz, of Poland, Ohio, closed his eyes in sleep to all that is earthly, and his body is now resting beneath the sod and snow, while his spirit has taken its flight to his Maker. His voice is stilled. His place is vacant, and we will see him no more, in this active, busy world.
Brother Kurtz was born Jan. 20, 1837, and was, at the time of his death, seventy-five years and eighteen days old. His entire life was spent in the country, engaged in rural pursuits, except during the time in which he assisted his father, Elder Henry Kurtz, in the publishing business as typesetter. He began that work in the year of 1852, when the office of the Gospel Visitor was located in the spring-house loft on his father's farm, when he was but fifteen
48
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
years of age. He followed his father and the print- ing press to Columbiana, Ohio, where Elder James Quinter identified himself with the Visitor. Brother Kurtz remained with the office until the spring of 1864, when, having married Harriet Stump, he re- turned to the old neighborhood and engaged in farm- ing. There he remained until his death.
During all this time he was active in the work of the church. He was called to the ministry Aug. 30, 1861, advanced to the second degree Nov. 9, 1867, and ordained to the full ministry Sept. 24, 1881. For a long time he was the only active minister in the Mahoning Church, filling the appointments in both houses of worship. He had the oversight of the church since Nov. 18, 1883.
During his career, while not robust in body, he always remained faithful, despite the conflicts of discouragement. He stood steadfast, and earnestly labored to the best of his ability.
From our earliest recollections we think of Broth- er Kurtz as being associated with the movements of the Church of the Brethren. In our first endeavors in Sunday-school and church work Brother Kurtz had a prominent place. While he was not great, he was good; not brilliant, but zealous; not eloquent, but faithful; not educated, yet scholarly ; not a dis- ciplinarian, but an exemplar; not aggressive, but earnest. He leaves behind him a faithful companion, who stood by him in the conflicts of an elder during fifty-four years of married life ; also two sons, three daughters, one brother and a number of grandchil- dren and friends.
His body was laid to rest beside that of his vener-
49
NORTHEASTERN OHIO
able father, close to the site of the old spring-house which was the beginning of our great publishing in- terests.
Thus closes the short chapter of a long life, and we turn to the work in hand, sadder and more lone- ly, profiting by his example and endeavoring to dis- charge our grave responsibilities in such a way that we may follow him to that haven of bliss and glory that lies beyond the sunset of life.
Funeral discourse by Bro. D. R. McFadden, as- sisted by Brethren J. F. Kahler, Jonas Horst and the writer. A. W. Harrold.
Columbiana, Ohio.
JONATHAN CREEK CHURCH.
The Jonathan Creek congregation, one of the first churches organized in Northeastern Ohio, takes its name from Jonathan Creek, a tributary of the Mus- kingum River, flowing into it a short distance below the city of Zanesville. The Brethren, in the early mi- grations, you will remember, followed the Ohio River from the East into the West. Following the his- toric Zanes Trace, which was then the only line of travel to the West; crossing this stream and being attracted by the fertility of the soil and the pictur- esque scenery, the Brethren made settlements on its banks more than a century ago. Others came, and in 1817 the organization was effected. Just where this took place is not definitely known, but about this time it is traditionally known that a house of worship was erected out of hewn logs on
50
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
the site now occupied by the M. E. Church in the village of Mt. Perry.
Here the Brethren worshiped for some time, but gradually the membership was gathering about two other points, one to the east, where now stands the old Goshen churchhouse, and one to the west, where a house of worship, long known as the Helser house, now Olivet, was erected.
For many years prior to the erection of these houses the congregation worshiped in dwelling houses and barns.
At the time of the organization in 1817, there were in the territory about twenty-five members.
The chronicler was unable to get the data con- cerning the elders and ministers present at the time of the organization, but traditionally the hon- or and pleasure of attending and taking part falls to Eli Stoner, Whitmore Arnold, F. A. Bradley and Samuel Orr.
The church flourished under the ministry of its pioneer preachers. The membership grew in num- bers. A house of worship was erected about the year 1878 where the Greenwood house now stands, four miles northeast of Glenford. The tract of land where the church now stands was formerly owned by Mr. John Defenbaugh, and sold to the Brethren for the express purpose of erecting a churchhouse, and for the small sum of $35.
The great undertaking was begun by Brother Samuel Orr and his wife, Sarah J. Orr, who were the first to originate the plan of erecting a church- house, and were also the first to subscribe money.
The Brethren contributed liberally, but Sister
OLD CHURCHHOUSE, JONATHAN CREEK CHURCH, PERRY COUNTY
52
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Hannah Cover was the most liberal donor of all, giving $200.
In the year 1878, June 23, the organization of the above church was effected and the house was ded- icated and set apart for the services of God, by Brother James Quinter.
This house was destroyed by fire Sunday, May 17, 1896, having accidentally caught a spark from a near-by clearing.
A new house was immediately erected and dedi- cated Aug. 31, 1896. The dedicatory services were conducted by Quincy Leckrone, assisted by Samuel Orr and Elijah Horn.
Brother Orr was baptized by Brother W. Arnold, of Somerset, made a deacon in 1876, and appointed to the ministry in 1878, which office he held until he departed this life in 1904, Sept. 22.
In the year 1883, about one hundred members withdrew from the church and identified themselves with the Progressive movement. This division greatly crippled the church as to members, but stim- ulated the remaining members to greater activity.
The territory of the church being very large and the membership much scattered, though centered about three principal points, it was unanimously agreed at a council meeting, called for that purpose at the Greenwood churchhouse, May 8, 1901, to divide the territory into three separate congrega- tions, to be known respectively as the Jonathan Creek, the Greenwood, and the Goshen Churches.
The Jonathan Creek Church included the mem- bers residing south of the Jonathan Creek and west of the Muskingum County line.
53
NORTHEASTERN OHIO
The Greenwood Church included the members living north of the Jonathan Creek and west of the Muskingum County line.
The Goshen Church included the members living in Muskingum County.
Liberty was given those members living near these lines to choose in which church they would hold their membership. A number availed them- selves of the privilege.
There were at this time in the entire territory 213 members. Of this number 126 fell to the Jona- than Creek Church, forty-nine to the Greenwood Church, and thirty-eight to the Goshen church.
Each of these divisions had in it a churchhouse and each one a resident minister, except Greenwood, which had two, viz., Samuel Orr and Quincy Leck- rone. At Goshen was Elijah Horn, and at Jonathan Creek, Whitmore Arnold.
After this division each of these congregations chose Quincy Leckrone to be their pastor, he hav- ing already served all of them for about ten years, or since Oct. 4, 1891, during which time there had been added to the church by baptism eighty mem- bers, and about ten by letters. He continued to serve the Greenwood and Jonathan Creek Churches until Sept. 20, 1904, and the Goshen Church until August, 1906.
At the time of the division Elder Samuel Sprankel had oversight of the church. After the division he was retained by the Jonathan Creek Church as elder, which relation he sustained until Sept. 7, 1912.
In 1904 A. W. Dupler was elected to the ministry
54
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
and served the church for a number of years, dur- ing which time, in 1906, a new and commodious churchhouse was erected on the site of the old one.
W. A. Wiley, of Ashland, was pastor for one year. Later the work was taken up by Elder Rufus Wyatt, who continued in charge until Sept. 7, 1912.
The Greenwood Church was without an elder from the time of its organization until 1910, when Elder Edward Shepfer was chosen to take the over- sight, which he still retains.
In 1911 Frank Hochstetler was chosen to the ministry and is at present serving the congregation.
The Goshen Church has been without an elder since its organization. Though few in number and very much scattered the church has steadily gone forward. Through the zeal and generosity of Broth- er W. W. Printz, a churchhouse was purchased in the village of White Cottage, remodeled and dedi- cated Aug. 4, 1901. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Quincy Leckrone, who was assisted by Elijah Horn and local ministers of other churches. The principal services of the congregation were then held at that place. The old Goshen house still stands, marking the place in sacred memory of the early activities of the Brethren on Jonathan Creek.
The elders and ministers of the church before the division of the territory were :
Elders, John Roberts, Daniel Snider, Eli Stoner, Silas Hoover; ministers, Jacob Eversole, Elijah Schofield, Daniel Bowman, Elijah Horn, Whitmore Arnold, Franklin Bradley, Samuel Orr, Quincy Leckronę.
JONATHAN CREEK CHURCH, PERRY COUNTY
56
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Missionary Activity of the Church.
In the earlier days many appointments were filled by the local ministers in outlying places within the territory belonging to the congregation. This ter- ritory was large, having practically no limit on the east or west and extending south to the Bremen congregation and north to the Owl Creek and Co- shocton congregations, some fifty or more miles.
One of these mission points was in Fairfield County, northeast of Basil, to which Whitmore Ar- nold made periodical trips for a number of years. Another was northeast of Glenford, resulting in what is now the Greenwood Church. Later, in 1896 and 1897, the church maintained a mission in the city of Zanesville, resulting in gathering a number into the church.
Sunday-schools.
As early as 1868 a flourishing Sunday-school was conducted at the Helser (now Olivet) house. The New Testament alone was used in the advanced classes, and primers from which the children were taught to read. This school was held only in the summer time.
After an interim of several years the school was again organized in 1885 and has continued ever- green ever since.
Sunday-schools were also conducted from time to time in the Goshen branch of the church as well as at Greenwood, where the school has continued ever- green since about 1896.
57
NORTHEASTERN OHIO
Debates.
The church being much isolated and surrounded by strong denominations of other persuasions caused the ministers frequently to be called upon to defend the doctrine declared by them as main- tained by the church. This led to a number of pub- lic discussions. Of the earlier of these we have no authentic data.
In February, 1886, a discussion lasting four days was held in the Helser house between Elder Silas Hoover, then pastor of the church, and Rev. Rufus Zartman, D. D., of the German Reformed Church, on the subject of baptism. The meetings were at- tended by large audiences and much interest was manifested in the discussion.
The last discussion was between Quincy Leck- rone, then pastor of the church, and Elder Thomas Martin, pastor of the Disciple Church. This debate was held in the Disciple Church in Mt. Perry Oct. 12 to 14, 1897, two sessions each day. The subjects discussed were: Trine Immersion, The Lord's Sup- per, and Feet-washing. The sessions were very largely attended by all denominations and much in- terest taken in the subjects discussed.
In all these discussions the doctrines of the church were ably maintained and favorable impres- sions made, which has resulted in much good to the church.
Other Activities of the Church.
The church at the Helser house was for many years the center of musical activity in the com-
58
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
munity. This was in a large measure due to the efforts of Benjamin Leckrone, a deacon, who for many years taught the old-time singing school and led the congregation in the public services. The in- fluence of the talent then developed is still felt in the church and in the community.
The church, though much isolated from other con- gregations of the Brotherhood and seldom visited by members of other congregations, has neverthe- less maintained its distinctive doctrines and stamped indelibly its characteristics of the simple life and uprightness of character upon the community at large. And never in its history was there a more promising field opened for aggressive work than at this present time.
SUGAR CREEK CONGREGATION, BALTIC, OHIO.
The history of the Sugar Creek congregation dates back to some time near 1805, being one of the pioneer churches of the Northeastern District of Ohio.
The early arrivals of this section (which was then a part of Muskingum County) came mostly from Westmoreland, Fayette and Somerset Coun- ties of Pennsylvania.
Among the early arrivals we have the family names :
Domer, Burger, Shutt, Neff, Hostetler, Miller, Long, Penrod, Cherryhomes, Garver, Showalter, Franz and Olinger.
Being without a church in which to worship, they
.
59
NORTHEASTERN OHIO
held the preaching service in the homes of the brethren in rotation. Among these were: Frederick Domer, Joseph Cherryhomes, George Mizer, George Harshinan, Michael Domer, George Domer, John Burger, Gabriel Neff, John Sheidler, Abe Hixson,
SUGAR CREEK CHURCH, TUSCARAWAS COUNTY Built in 1898.
Jacob Domer, John Penrod, George Garver, Barney Miller, Daniel Liub, Jacob Burger, George Long, John Frantz, Peter Neff and Amos Hixson.
These were the good old pioneer days; many of the services lasted almost the entire day. Love
. 60
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
feasts were held at the homes of the brethren, but alternating among a much smaller number of mem- bers.
Later services were held in a Mennonite church north of Shanesville. Also in the Union church at the south end of Rowsville (Baltic), which was built about 1858.
In 1871 the brethren felt the need of having a church home in which to worship. Brethren John Burger, Michael G. Domer and Peter Neff were ap- pointed as a committee on building. Bro. Domer acted as foreman. Through their earnest efforts they secured ground and built a neat little church about one and one-half miles north of Rowsville (Baltic), on what is known as the Christian Fisher farm.
Love feasts were again alternated, being held in barns (those of Jacob Burger, Michael G. Domer and John Burger). Those were feasts of spiritual things, joyous occasions long to be treasured in memory.
Brother William Johnson (now of Wichita, Kans.) moved from Fayette County, Pa., in 1875, within the bounds of this congregation. He was here instrumental in organizing one of the first Sunday-schools in that part of the District, in 1877 or 1878. The first series of meetings was held about the same time, on which occasion eighteen young men and women were added to the church.
The Union Hill Church was built in 1878. Here the United Brethren, Amish, Mennonites, Wine- brennerians and Brethren worshiped. The Breth-
61
NORTHEASTERN OHIO
ren at that place were served by Brethren Wm. Johnson, Josiah Hostetler and Michael Shutt.
June, 1875, Brother Josiah Hostetler was elected to the ministry. Services were conducted at times in schoolhouses about Berlin, Ohio. For two years services were conducted in the Presbyterian Church of Berlin. Meeting with considerable opposition, Brother Hostetler succeeded, with the help of the brethren, in building what is known as the Bunker Hill house, in 1884, about one-half mile north of Berlin.
This branch of the church has been under Elder Hostetler's faithful care. Some twenty years ago the Brethren bought the Methodist Episcopal Church at Ragersville, Ohio. Services are conduct- ed there regularly, and they have a zealous band of workers.
Regular services are held in the Union Church at Sugar Creek, Ohio, since 1904. This is the home of Elder Edward Shepfer. A loyal number of workers attend services at that place and the time may not be far distant when the Brethren may have a church home of their own in which to worship.
The Brethren also maintain regular appointments at the Mt. Healthy Church, three miles east of Dun- dee.
Elders who have served the congregation :
Jacob Domer, Sr., Conrad Kahler, Wm. Johnson, F. B. Weimer, J. K. L. Swinehart, Gabriel Neff, Sr., Michael H. Shutt, Samuel J. Burger.
Other resident ministers :
Peter Showalter, John Nicholson, George Long, Jacob Keim, John Neff, Peter Long, Josiah Hos-
62
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
tetler, Edward Shepfer, Jacob Summers, Jacob Domer, Jr., Eli Steele, Jacob Snyder, Jacob Kaub, Eli Holmes, John Yoder, W. D. Fisher.
Some who have served in the deacon's office :
George Garver, George Domer, Peter Neff, Ben Burger, Eli Burger, John Shutt, Benjamin Speicher, John Burger, Jacob H. Domer, H. A. Hostetler, C. R. Marshall, George H. Domer, Joseph Moomaw, John Garver, Michael G. Domer, Jacob Keim, Isaac J. Miller, Eli Hershberger, Martin Moomaw, Simon Harshman, Wesley Rennecker, Wm. Lantz, Wm. Shutt, Wm. Horner, Isaac Olinger, David J. Shafer, Edwin M. Domer.
Through the untiring efforts of Elder Michael H. Shutt, who was ordained to the full ministry and given charge of the congregation in June, 1884, the membership increased and in 1898 the present church home was built. The location is an ideal one for a country church, being about one-half mile north of Baltic, surrounded by a grove of hick- ories, oaks and maples. They now have a spring of pure, cold water in the yard. The seating ca- pacity of the church is about eight hundred. They have all the conveniences for love feast occasions. Brother Quincy Leckrone preached the dedicatory sermon.
Elder Samuel J. Burger, who was ordained in 1908, has presided over the congregation since Elder Shutt's death.
At present there are three elders, one minister (second degree), ten deacons, about 225 members, and five preaching places.
63
NORTHEASTERN OHIO
DANVILLE CHURCH, KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
This church was organized in 1822 with fourteen charter members. The first services in this territory were held in the members' homes. These becoming inadequate, two houses were built, the first one in 1850, located one-half mile south of Danville; the
OLD NORTH BEND CHURCH, KNOX COUNTY
second one, known as North Bend house, was built in 1870, six miles north of Danville. From these dates you will notice that this church was without a per- manent place of worship for a period of twenty-eight years. Yet the fires were kept burning, the church grew until larger accommodations were necessary to provide for the ever-enlarging spirituality and zeal of the membership. In 1881 quite a number of
64
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
members united with the Progressives; these lived for the most part in the vicinity of Danville, thus leaving that part of the church territory with but few members who remained true to the church. The old house near Danville becoming unsafe, it was abandoned in the year 1892 and the small house four miles south was built.
The names of the elders who served this church in former years and have now gone to their reward are: Elders Schofield, John Mulsbaugh, Henry Davy, Morgan Workman, J. J. Workman, James Workman; with Peter Conkle, Isaac Ross and John Nicholson as ministers in the second degree.
The present official board is: C. J. Workman as elder, J. T. Workman, minister in the second degree, and O. H. Elliott, Alf. Helser, B. B. Workman, Jay Workman, C. A. Workman and Rufus Young as deacons.
While this church suffered a loss in a number of her members going with the Progressives, it is re- markable that she has only lost fifty by death in the last thirty years. The present membership of the church numbers one hundred and twelve souls.
The picture presents the North Bend house which was torn down in 1910 and was replaced by a new and modern-built house of worship in which the songs of Zion are sung anew and the Sunday-school is accommodated so it can do more efficient work.
The North Bend Sunday-school was organized in 1870 by Brother James Workman acting as su- perintendent, who continued from year to year. In 1892 Alfred Helser was chosen superintendent. At this time the school decided to use certain chap-
65
NORTHEASTERN OHIO
ters in the New Testament as a basis for the lesson study. In 1893 J. T. Workman was elected super- intendent, serving faithfully until the year 1897. During this time there were some lesson helps in- troduced into the school especially for advanced classes, the primary classes still using the New Testament. In 1897 Brother Clem Kindy was
NORTH BEND CHURCH, KNOX COUNTY
elected superintendent; at this time the school be- came evergreen, which advancement it has been able to maintain to the present time. A number of names of others that served in the capacity of Sun- day-school superintendents might be given, space forbidding, saving the mention of those who served when certain departments in the work were intro-
60
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
duced. It might be added that during the last fif- teen years there have been introduced into the school a number of practical Sunday-school helps, so that all departments of the school are well pro- vided with that literature that will help into the best understanding of the Book of books. The Sunday-school supports a Cradle Roll and a Home Department. The enrollment of the school at the present is 100; Home Department, twenty-four; Cradle Roll, nineteen.
Supplementary to the above Sunday-school rec- ords, we are pleased to chronicle the organization of another school within this territory, about ten miles south of the North Bend Church, where a small body of members reside and a cozy little churchhouse has been built to accommodate the peo- ple. This school has an average attendance of thirty, with growing interest, and Brother Howard Workman as its energetic and faithful superintend- ent.
READING CHURCH.
In the western end of Columbiana County, with Knox Township as the center, in a rich agricultural community, is located the present Reading Church. This is an offspring of the old "Sandy " Church, and for worshiping purposes is now using the house and grounds formerly occupied by its renowned parent (Sandy) and has adopted for church name the term previously applied to the house alone (Reading).
The church stands prominently among her sister churches, because of its age and the prominence of
READING CHURCH, COLUMBIANA COUNTY
68
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
her early members, her own prosperity and the large number of members she has given to other parts of the country.
Her history begins somewhere in the years 1820 to 1825, with about fifty members, who removed to this part of the State from the Mahoning Church, lying to her eastern border, and from various parts of Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. Prom- inent among these were Abraham Heistand and family, who came to this locality from the Mahon- ing Church and located upon the farm surrounding the present church grounds. Brother Heistand be- ing an able and aggressive church worker, and by the able assistance of others, a community was created that grew into a populous and prosperous church where many foremost ministers and elders loved to visit. Prominent among these was Elder John Cline, who made frequent horseback trips from Virginia through Pennsylvania, into parts of Ohio. Among the names of those residing here, we find Brethren Heistand, Summer, Stouffer, Shoemaker, Brenneman, Byers, Bowman, Shively, Weaver, Hoffman, Clement and others. These were men from the best of Pennsylvania's Dutch stock, ex- celling in industry, honesty, frugality, thrift and vir- tue. These qualities were richly bestowed upon the community, and time has not been able to efface them.
The membership in 1861 is reported as being 249, with a strong ministerial force. A very few of the old records and documents remain to tell us of the struggles, obstacles and discouragements or of the pleasures, successes or victories. Hence our
69
NORTHEASTERN OHIO
history of her earlier days must be brief, as our de- sire for accuracy admits of no guess work. The church has always, as well as now, occupied a strategic point, being favorably located as the social center of a large community, and being on a line of travel between the East and the then new West. The neighborhood has been augmented by people of Swiss descent, Quakers, Mennonites and others. The people are kind, sociable and religious, very few people living here who do not belong to or at- tend church services somewhere. Hospitality and helpfulness are characteristic of this locality as well as of most parts of the District.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.