USA > Ohio > Allen County > A standard history of Allen county, Ohio : an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development > Part 36
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In some communities the historian finds so little data of the past that he is reminded of the ancient story of when the nations of the earth were given their religions. Each one inscribed the sacred creed upon either metal, parchment or stone, but too often the pioneer has had the characteristics of the Gypsy who is reputed to have written his creed upon cabbage leaves, when the donkeys were browsing in that direction, so meager has been the record left behind him. Lord Byron once said : " 'Tis strange but true ; truth is always strange-stranger than fiction," and while a great deal of fiction may be written about one single fact, in Allen County there is a commendable spirit of veneration for long-established institutions. While the pioneers practically remained in their own dooryards, their sons and daughters have wandered far. There are "globe trotters" among them. "See America first," and in this age of steam, electricity and gasoline the sons and grandsons have enlarged neighborhood limitations. The third and fourth generations are living under such changed conditions that they frequently whirl through adjacent county towns, while their fathers and mothers seldom or never saw them.
While some of the vanguards of society who say the world is travel- ing too rapidly sound the warning "Beware-beware of the dog. Beware of pickpockets," and "Watch your step" is the timely admonition, any appliance to make the machinery run smoother seems to have been util- ized-anything that supplies the oil in toil, or provides the ease in dis- ease, is welcomed by the community. It is said that in the matter of hope boxes Allen County maidens still walk in the footsteps of their grandmothers, and in some things society remains unchanged today. When Jacob's character and manner of living changed, he was hence- forth known as Israel; however, it would be confusing to history and directory publishers were such the custom today. "All things to all men" renders such violent change an impossibility. When Simon became Peter he had a different personality. Some Allen County folk change their natures without the formality of changing their names.
THE ALLEN COUNTY HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
The constitution of the society is the same as the State Historical and Archaeological Society, but the by-laws are made to suit local require-
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AN UMBRELLA DRILL IN LIMA
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ments. While sentiment has been crystallizing in favor of a local historical society for many years, things were brought to a focus in 1908, and the name of James Pillars will always be associated with the organiza- tion. The story of the organization of the historical society and of the building of the Allen County Memorial Hall are closely linked together. When it was nearing completion it offered permanent shelter for the society. While Mr. Pillars had served Allen County as surveyor, and had an intimate knowledge of its history, he was interested more as curator than historian. He was always a collector of relics and antiques and he agitated the question of the preservation of such things. When it came to assembling curios, Mr. Pillars knew where to locate them, and all unite in paying tribute to him in connection with the organization. When the society was finally installed in the Memorial building, Allen County provided the cases for the preservation of the antiques, and in the collection are things that are growing priceless with the passing of the years. The pictures of many Allen County pioneers line the walls and to the casual visitor some of them live again. A visit to the museum maintained by the historical society is a liberal education in the lost arts of the long ago.
While sentiment was apparent, the moving spirits in effecting the immediate organization of the Allen County Historical and Archaeolog- ical Society were : H. D. Campbell, Ezekiel Owen and Grant M. Sprague. While the Lima Club still occupied the site of the Argonne Hotel, it offered the use of its parlors, thereby encouraging the effort. The plan was to call a meeting of the sons of the pioneers-the most interested citizens. The meeting was called in December, 1908, and there was a general response-a satisfactory attendance. A charter was ordered and an adjourned meeting was called for January 4, 1909, when inclement weather reduced the attendance. On January 15th the organization was furthered by naming trustees as follows: H. D. Campbell, John Davison, G. M. Sprague, John W. Lutz, T. D. Robb, Dr. R. E. Jones, Ezekiel Owen, Daniel Baxter, Andrew Bice, T. K. Jacobs, G. M. Mccullough, J. E. Grosjean, Dr. George Hall and George Feltz. At another meeting, January 20, 1909, Theodore D. Robb was named president; H. D. Campbell, vice president ; J. W. Lutz, secretary ; George Feltz, treasurer.
When it came to the choice of a curator, there was just one name in the minds of all-James Pillars. Since his death, Mrs. Pillars has served the society both as curator and its secretary. The committee on by-laws, T. D. Robb, J. M. Prague and J. E. Lutz, had in mind the local situa- tion, and the townships all had recognition in the organization. The curator remains on duty from 9 A. M. till 4 P. M. each day, and there are inany visitors. There are life, active, non-resident and honorary mem- berships, and it has always been the plan to have persons interested in the historical and anecdotal sides of Allen County address the meetings. All papers read before the society become its property, and thus there is a complete Allen County history on file in the archives of the Historical and Archaeological Society.
While the Historical Society has made many social surveys, as yet no papers are on file showing the foreign population of Allen County. It is said that because of the World war, the foreign population has not materially increased in several years, and Congressman B. F. Welty has actively opposed indiscriminate immigration from Europe. It has been urged that everybody from everywhere in Europe is headed for the United States these days, and the question has been raised as to how long this country is to maintain its identity. While America has been characterized as the melting pot of the world, as long as other languages
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are heard there will be no amalgamation of society. As long as coloniza- tion is permitted, the different nationalities will spread their political, mental, moral, social and religious characteristics. While the different tongues are heard there will never be harmony in citizenship. Under the provisions of the Ordinance of 1787, a good class of people had been attracted to the Northwest Territory. There are more foreigners in Allen County on the threshold of its second century, than were here in the wilderness days of its history.
Almost all the nations are represented today in Lima, and but few foreigners relinquish their own tongue in an attempt to master English. ' There is a sentiment against the use of the hyphen in connecting any foreign country with America. Among the early settlers were the Welsh people who wish to be characterized as American, and the most hopeful sign is the fact that they are relinquishing their language in favor of English, both in church and social life, D. D. Nicholas saying: "The Welsh language is fast giving way to the English in all the churches and among the Welsh people generally." There were three Welsh families . in the Gomer community from the beginning of local history. The Swiss or Mennonites-the devotees of Simon Menno, were also among the early settlers about Bluffton. Seeming to think the chances were better for the churchman, one of the deacons said he had come to Allen County while the settlers were still on mercy's side of the grave.
The negro would hardly be classed as an immigrant because he has been in Allen County almost from the dawn of its history. Many of the colonies of foreign born citizens are comparatively recent acquisitions to the community. Those who came early were Randolph slaves liberated under the Emancipation proclamation, and their descendents are still in the community. In the beginning the negroes had farms, but the whites soon acquired them and they flocked to the industrial centers ; the same thing is true in surrounding counties. The Allen County negroes are nearly all in Lima. A few families live in Delphos, and a few live in the country. It is estimated that there are 2,500 negroes in Allen County.
In 1916, there were 552 negro voters in Lima; there has been an exodus of negroes to Allen County within the last four years, and in 1920, counting the women, there were almost 1,000 negro voters. A large percentage of the Allen County negroes own their own homes; they take advantage of educational opportunities, and there are a number of high school graduates among them. Some have become teachers in other com- munities. The Lima negroes are law-abiding citizens, and they are found in business and in the professions. There are two African Methodist Episcopal and two Baptist churches ; the secret orders are: Samuel W. Clark Lodge Free and Accepted Masons, Morning Star Knights of Pythias, Siroc Chapter Royal Arch, Hamilton Commandery Knight Tem- plars, and Lone Star Court Calanthes. While most of the negroes live in certain localities, there is no segregation. It is related that the first negro in Lima was named Banks, and that he married a white woman named Brown. They lived on the bank of what is now called Mccullough Lake-happy ever afterward. A few times there have been race riots, and the negroes do not move into communities where the Irish are in the majority.
It is said the negroes do not live north of the Pennsylvania railway tracks in Lima. In 1888, at the time of the spring election there was a riot between the Irish and the negroes; it broke out in the Del Flora saloon when the negroes and whites were there together; some one started the song "Don't like a nigger, no how," and one word followed another as the negroes and Irish mixed up together. An Irish boy named
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Pat Hughes was an innocent by-stander. While pumping a drink of water outside the saloon, a negro, Fred Harrison, stabbed him, and he died from the injury. Knives and razors were brought into service, and a lot of people were slashed that night; there were no other fatalities. Harrison served time for the offense but was out again when he killed a soldier, and he is now in the penitentiary. Once in a while the color line is drawn, and the negroes remain south of the railway tracks for safety. They are represented on the Lima police force, and they do not unneces- sarily antagonize the Irish. It is said that of all the problems presented by immigration, the most important and the most difficult of solution, are the social problems; they attain practical solution when members of a community feel themselves such, recognizing mutual duties and obliga- tions.
When it comes to citizenship and patriotism, the Lima negroes fill the requirements. They furnished about 200 soldiers in the World war, and Capt. Peter McCown is a retired army officer. As a soldier in the stand- ing army, Captain McCown was at San Juan Hill with Theodore Roose- velt and his Roughriders in the Spanish-American war. When the post of United States minister to Liberia was tendered him in reward for his political zeal, Captain McCown declined with thanks, preferring the quiet life vouchsafed to him in Lima as a ward of the United States Govern- ment. In reviewing the history of the race, Captain McCown said that in the sixty years the negro had enjoyed his freedom, he had made rapid advancement in civilization. While some trust wholly in the Lord, others are inclined to take care of themselves and to work out their own destiny.
THE JEW IN ALLEN COUNTY-Jacobs, Simon, Goldsmith-Levi Jacobs was the first Jew to take up his residence in Lima. It was about 1850, the Jacobs clothing store was opened, and the Jews have never located in any other town in Allen County. Because the Jews are in business, the aver- age citizen is greatly mistaken in estimating the Jewish population. They always seem more numerous than they are-perhaps 350 Jews in all. There are both Reformed and Orthodox Jews in the community.
When Joseph Simon located in Lima he engaged in the hotel business, and Joseph Goldsmith, who later married his daughter, still owns the Lima House although a non-resident today. Nathan L. Michael, who has been identified with the Lima business community since 1878, relates that the Jewish colony when he came comprised about one dozen families. There are now perhaps 100 families, although a smaller population than the casual observer would say without investigation. The Lima Jews have diversified business interests-manufacturing and commercial pur- suits-and some of the big enterprises are Jewish capital. Jews have turned their attention to both law and medicine, although the commercial world claims most of them. While it is said the Jews constitute about 2 per cent of the population of the United States, they are less than 1 per- cent of the citizenship of Lima.
The Reformed Jews are those best known to the public, and through long years of training they are Americanized and conform to local cus- toms. The Orthodox Jews are Oriental in their forms and ceremonies, and the kosher superintends their diet. They are a later acquisition to Lima. The Reformed and Orthodox Jews do not worship together. The Jewish Synagogue on West Market Street is a community center for the Reformed Jews. They own their own homes, and their home ties are sacred; when the Jew engages himself to marry a woman, his sacred obligation begins and the Jews seldom appear in the divorce courts. The Jews are exclusive, and with them religion is law ; through common sense
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social alliances they avoid clash of opinions, and thus they maintain the sanctity of the marriage relation.
The Lima Jews have co-operated in all community movements and war measures; they bought their share of Liberty bonds and do not hold themselves aloof from the citizenship requirements. Their children are given an English education, although they cling to their own tongue in family conversation. The Jews take care of their own unfortunates, and contribute to community benevolences. Lima Jews contribute to the sup- port of a national tuberculosis hospital in Denver. In one day, B'nai B'rith raised $1,500 for the Cleveland Orphans' Home, only soliciting among Lima Jews. All had been asked to have their checks in readiness, and in two hours three solicitors had accomplished the service. Local Jews always celebrate the different feast days and holidays, and they are always represented in Jewish conventions. While there are occasional outbreaks of anti-Semitism-the merest propaganda, these attacks are not of religious inspiration. They arise from the fallacy charging the Jew with an ambition to rule the world. While "Rich as a Jew" is a common expression, the Jews are not in control of the finances of the world. In this country the Jews are Americans-always loyal to the country in which they maintain citizenship.
THE ITALIANS IN LIMA-While immigrants have helped make this the richest and most powerful country in the world, and the Italians are simply flocking to a land discovered by one of their countrymen, the men at the helm in governmental affairs now recognize the dangers arising from admitting foreigners. War-stricken Europe would soon occupy all the vacant spaces, and Americans would be crowded like the older nations of the world. There are a dozen nationalities in Lima today. While the Italians come and go, there are about sixty permanent families -perhaps 300 Italians. While many Italians are engaged in the fruit and confectionery business downtown, the majority of them live in the industrial communities and are employed in factories. Frank Colluci, who is spoken of as "the King of Italy," came to Lima in 1889, and Victor Cardosi was already in the community.
The majority of the Italians in Lima came in the '90s, among them the names : Cardosi, Colluci, Pelligrini, Gomella, Deprato, and while some are floaters, others acquire citizenship; they educate their children in public and parochial schools, but "about as many don't go to school," said Edward Cardosi, representing one of the oldest families. The Lima Italians are all Catholics with membership in St. Rose and St. John Catholic churches, and they only go back to sunny Italy for short visits, realizing that they are better off in America. It is said that John Gomella was the first Italian to locate in Lima. The Greeks live in colonies, and they are frequently classed as Italians. Since the World war many for- eigners are becoming naturalized American citizens. At one hearing twenty-two were asking for naturalization in Lima, among them some Italians. While there are Austrians, Hungarians, Greeks and Japanese and Chinese in the community, they are not yet in such numbers as the Jews and Italians.
When the Japanese student heard the Englishmen speak of "hen- croachments," he thought it was only a matter of gender, and decided not to "cockroach" upon society, and thus the campaign of education is the hope of the immigrant to America. With the transient foreigner, there is little sense of community obligation and the American finds it hard to be neighborly with him; it was St. Ignatius who defined Christianity as a way of living together, and real Christianity emphasizes the community spirit and intensifies the social virtues.
CHAPTER XXV THE HOUSE OF THE LORD IN ALLEN COUNTY
In the Bible is this personal experience related: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the Lord," and all through the ages that sentiment has expressed the feeling of Christians. The Grand Old Man of England, William E. Gladstone, once said: "I go to church on the Sabbath day not because I believe in religion, but because I love England," and it was a little hard to establish the line of demarca- tion between religion and patriotism-the love of God and the love of country, predominating seemingly the same in the early days of Allen County history. It used to be said: "Once in grace always in grace," and yet there are back-sliders in some of the Allen County churches as well as in the rest of the world.
While the Allen County Lima Ministerial Association is not of endur- ing and historic nature, because its personnel changes with the changes in local pulpits, the history of Allen County churches goes back to the founding of Lima, the Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists all occupy- ing the field early, and in each instance of those three denominations the present organization occupies its third church edifice in the development of the community. Some of the later churches also hold that relation to the community. Some one has said that denominational machinery is the instrumentality through which great moral impulses and convictions are brought to a realization. While the Ministerial Association promotes the interests of the churches in a general way, it is peculiarly true of ministers that they "have no continuing city," and now and then their mantles fall on others.
While the American Indians had an awe of the Great Spirit, and had traditions about the Happy Hunting Grounds-had a vague form of religion, the first record of any Christian minister in the community states that Rev. Samuel Shannon was a chaplain at Fort Amanda in connection with the second war with England. Since he was a Prince- ton University man, it would seem that the Presbyterians were first in the local field, although an old account says the Methodists frequently con- ducted religious services in the blockhouse there. Being a university man, the Rev. Samuel Shannon established high rank for the ministry long before the organization of Allen County. When the first court assembled in August, 1831, the records say that the Rev. William Chap- man produced credentials as a Baptist minister, and he was granted a license to perform marriage ceremonies. He was of the Sugar Creek Society of Baptists. Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists-these three abode early, and the greatest of these was-but who'll risk saying it? One peculiar thing-this Baptist minister accumulated a small fortune. He was enrolled as a minister in 1831, purchased a farm in Shawnee in 1832, and in 1833 he located in Lima; the story goes that he lost his money, and that he died in an insane asylum at Indianapolis.
While many ministers successfully finance large churches, most denominations find it necessary to superannuate and care for some of the aged ones. When ministers used to preach two hours before dinner and two hours again after dinner, they required attention. When the old-time minister warmed up to his text, he removed coat, vest, collar and neck scarf and sinners realized when he "served the Lord in fear and trembling." It was sometimes said of the pioneers that they were
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"more bold in the gospel," when some one supplied them with whisky before entering the pulpit. It was remarkable how clearly some of them presented the gospel who farmed on weekdays and preached on Sun- days, dispensing wholesome admonition and plain facts from the Word of God. The preacher who is a man before he is a minister, usually has a following in any community. The old story of the three sexes : men, women and preachers, has about spent itself. When two children saw . a minister, one said : "Hello man," while the other cautioned her: "Sh- that's no man; it's a minister."
The Christian church, the public school and the secular newspaper- this great educational triumvirate, is within the reach of all in Allen County today. The Interchurch World religious movement has discov- ered the fact that men are thinking less about creeds and more about deeds, and the Rev. O. E. Smith, who completed the survey of the rural churches came to the conclusion that fewer churches would better serve the communities. While there may be some need of missionary effort, there are pastorless and over-churched communities, and combinations of the working forces would serve a better purpose ; fuller data is given of some churches than others simply because some of the churches possess the necessary information themselves ; some have it in printed form while others are absolutely void of data. The charge is established in many instances that names are retained on church rolls after they are inscribed on tombstones, owing to the failure of church clerks to keep the mortuary records. One Lima church folder carried this statement with reference to church attendance: "It is a perpetual duty year in and year out, and not an infrequent visit to be rendered on special occasions; a man can- not regulate his business successfully in that manner; nor can you make a success in your religious life by such methods."
While the rural survey was carefully made, and the Rev. O. E. Smith discovered ninety-two rural churches in Allen County, he was convinced of the fallacy of so many denominations and of so many factions within some of them. He found two different sects of Christians ; two different United Brethren; four kinds of Mennonites and four kinds of Metho- dists. Lack of leadership is the difficulty with the rural church; while most of them are one-room buildings, in many of them there is an excel- lent community spirit ; the survey reveals the fact that 80 per cent of the Allen County farmers own their own farms-a fact that augurs well for both the future of the church, and of agriculture. There are about half a dozen abandoned rural churches-an abandoned church being classed as one that is never opened only for funerals, as well as churches allowed to go into ruin from neglect. While there are some foreigners in the rural churches, most of the members are two and three generations removed from the emigrants.
The groves were God's first temples, and the missionary and circuit rider had their day in Allen County. It is said that religion flourishes more in strenuous times : "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth," and likewise the population increases more rapidly under such conditions. While the population in Allen County increased more than 180 per cent in the last fifty years-from 1870 to 1920-there is no way of computing the gain in church membership because of the lack of figures, although a census report says that the church membership in the whole United States increased 350 per cent in that time, showing that the Christian religion is not dying out in the world. The Christian Register carried the story that a visitor in a town where there were four different churches, none of whom were properly supported, inquired of a member of one about the state of religion; he committed himself by saying: "We are
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