USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > A twentieth century history of Trumbull County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 26
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The ministers of this church were very outspoken during the war times, and some of their members who sympathized with the South, or who considered that politics should not be preached from the pulpit, severed their connection with this organization and went to other churches.
Because the first preachers were circuit riders, and because
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the Methodist church believed in the itineracy of its ministers, early records were not made and there is no complete list of the men who have served as ministers in the First Methodist church of Warren. Among the fourscore or more were such noted men as Dr. Charles Eliot, theologian, editor and author; the eloquent William Seahon; Dr. William Hunter, the Methodist hymn writer ; John J. Steadman, the orator and great debater; Gaylord B. Hawkins, the accomplished scholar and educator; Dr. John Peet, the eloquent and fearless wartime preacher. The present minister is Rev. W. B. Winters.
The Warren Methodist Episcopal church has entertained five ammal conferences, large and important bodies of the denomination, namely :
The old Erie conference, held July 28 to Angnst 4, 1841, Bishop R. R. Roberts presiding. Albert Van Gorder, in the Warren Chronicle, calls the different church choirs together to prepare for the conference music. July 9-16, 1851. Bishop T. A. Morris presiding. July 15-21, 1868, Bishop C. Kingsley presiding. East Ohio conference, September 22-28, 1880, Bishop Thomas Bowman presiding. This was a memorable session of the conference, and attracted an immense gathering of Meth- odists in Warren on account of the great Grant-Conkling meet- ing, which was held here during the session of this conference. The last annual conference entertained by the church was held September 19-24, 1894, Bishop J. M. Walden presiding.
In 1851-52 this church was remodeled at an expense of one thousand dollars. Rev. G. B. Hawkins was pastor of the church then. At that time a new altar rail was put in and the church carpeted. Rose Hawkins, now Mrs. Leet, the daughter of the pastor, remembers playing in the basement of this church when the repairs were being made, and how she admired the half-spheres which were used in making the balls which orna- mented the new enpola.
Among the influential and early citizens who attended this church we find the names of Stevens, Van Gorder, Hunt. Alli- son, Stull, Marvin, Tayler, Potter, Gilmore, Hoyt. Patch, Hawkins, Jameson, Hall.
The new church standing on High street, between Pine and Park avenne, was dedicated in June, 1874. The cost, including the lot, was $55,000, $7,500 of which was raised in three hours' time the day the building was dedicated. In 1878 a fierce wind
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NEW METHODIST CHURCH, WARREN.
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of the nature of a cyclone eut a path through Warren, doing much damage as far as trees and chimneys were concerned, and lifted the roof of the new Methodist church from its position. When this was replaced, slight changes were made in the interior, drop beams supplanting the plain ceiling. This build- ing is 110 feet long, 75 feet broad, with a front elevation of 65 feet. For many years the steeple of the Methodist church was not completed. This was done at the same time these other repairs were made.
The founders of the church recognized the importance of the religious training of the children, and immediately planned for the formation of Bible classes. The Sunday school proper was organized in 1827, under the direction of a board of man- agers composed of the following persons: Richard Brooks, Josiah Soule, L. M. Reeves, Alexander Anderson and Benjamin Stevens. One of the early day superintendents of the school was Judge Rufus P. Spaulding, who later became one of the prominent lawyers of Cleveland.
At that time, the records inform us, there were "40 male scholars" and "63 female scholars"; and 16 teachers- "7 males" and "9 females." Happily society has outgrown the use of these terms applied to members of the human family. To-day the Sunday school is a large and flourishing institution, with an average attendance of 600.
In the '80s the Methodists had the largest congregation and, the writer thinks, the largest Sunday school in the city. But of late years the Christian church has equaled if not sur- passed it in both directions. The membership now numbers 902.
The officers of the church at present are :
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
Trustees-J. W. Masters, B. J. Taylor, K. O. Brainard, W. J. Masters, C. E. Inman, Martin Hecklinger, R. T. Izant, A. E. Wonders, T. M. Sabin.
Stewards-John Pew, J. H. Ewalt, F. B. Gilder, S. B. Craig, George Warner, C. C. Clawson. Distriet Steward; B. J. Taylor, Recording Steward; Jay Buchwalter, Homer Robins, James Mahan, W. W. McFarland, J. F. Dutton.
Class Leaders-E. II. Masters, N. Lang, If. L. VanGorder.
Leaders (confirmed as members of the Quarterly Conference, therefore mem- bers of the Official Board)-William Southwick, D. M. Frum, Frank Mahan, L. K. Latimer, Charles Pew, R. B. Royce, Noah Dibble, L. G. Lease, Charles H. Adams, M. F. Gleason, George Hapgood.
Among the members of the Methodist church who were workers for many years were Mr. and Mrs. John M. Stull. Mrs. Stull was Florilla Wolcott, of Farmington, and a woman of
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unusually strong, sweet characteristics. She was a Presby- terian, but when her husband became interested in the Meth- odist church she went with him. They were both fond of fun and they enjoyed a joke on each other quite as well as on out- siders. One day in a church meeting, when they were talking of the missionary work, Mr. Stull arose and said that one of their missionaries, Miss , had not been mentioned in the list of workers and that for his part he wished to commend her to the church members. He said he thought any woman who went to a strange country and worked for the church should receive some recognition, and in the case of Miss
he felt this was particularly true, since her services were being rendered in such a hot country (he referred to India.) Hear- ing a snicker, he looked about and saw Mrs. Stull convulsed with laughter. Speaking outright, he said, "Frill, what are you laughing at?" Mrs. Stull replied, "Your remarks are rather pointed, since Miss has been dead for years."
St. Mary's Church ( Roman Catholic).
Rev. Patrick O'Dwyer was the first priest to visit Warren. He came at long intervals. He was stationed in Cleveland from 1837 to 1839. Rev. John Conlon, pastor of Dungannon, visited this city as a station in 1849. From that time on "the spiritual, interests of the few Catholics of Warren were looked after by the resident pastors of the following places: Randolph, Akron, Summitsville, St. Columba, Youngstown and Niles."
In 1858 Rev. W. O'Connor bought a lot for a church on Quinby Hill, near where the canal afterwards ran. In. 1862 Rev. E. M. O'Callaghan, who had succeeded Father O'Connor, found the lot undesirable and sold it. In 1864 he bought the property which had belonged to the Protestant Episcopal church, remodeled the building suitable for the Catholic services. Prior to the buying of this church mass had been celebrated in several private houses.
In 1868 Rev. E. J. Conway was given this charge, and he was the first resident priest. He built a house for the accom- modation of the priest at a cost of $1,000. He only served until 1869, when Warren was made a mission of Niles.
In October. 1870, Rev. E. J. Murphy had charge of the parish. He enlarged the priest's house and made other im-
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ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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provements. During his time there was a parish school, but upon his removal, in March, 1873, it was discontinued.
In 1873 and in 1876 Warren Catholies were under the super- vision of the Niles church.
In 1873 Rev. A. Paganini was resident priest, remaining two years. He went to Italy for a visit, and his cousin, J. Paganini, attended to the duties of the parish. Upon the former priest's return, in 1876, he took charge. While he was gone the cousin had improved the church property withont authority, and plunged the parish into debt. The church was sold in 1876, while Bishop Gilmore was in Europe. The bishop was greatly distressed over this state of affairs and he raised money by loan to pay off the indebtedness, and the loan was repaid by the parishes throughout the diocese and also by several fairs at Warren. This is the only time that a parish in northern Ohio ever defaulted its financial obligations, and in this the people were not to blame. Rev. A. Paganini was removed in March, 1876. He was succeeded in a few months by Rev. B. B. Kelley, who remained in charge until February, 1877. Since that time the pastors have been Rev. M. J. Murphy, 1877-1879; Rev. W. J. Manning, 1879-1882; Rev. F. M. Seullin, 1882-1884; Rev. D. O'Brien, from February to September, 1884; then the church became a mission of Niles until 1886. This was the fourth time that the Warren church had been put under the management of the Niles church. This was because there were few Catholics in Warren and because the town grew largely from the county. and the rural districts of Ohio are not, as a rule. Catholic districts.
In 1886 Rev. Ambrose A. Weber became pastor of the church. Father Weber was a German and greatly beloved by his people. He was gentle and conscientious. During his time the old church was improved somewhat, and his residence as well. He bought the large bell now in use, supplied the church with stations, neat furnishings, and a goodly supply of vest- ments. He bought, in September, 1895, for $1,700, six acres of land for a parish cemetery. This adjoins the city cemetery, on the Niles road, and is a great convenience to the Catholics of Warren, because before that they had to go to Niles for inter- ment. In May, 1891, he purchased a lot 70 feet by 202 feet, on High street, at the cost of $3,000. The last payment was made in February, 1900. In 1900 Father Weber bought the Park
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Avenue school property from the Warren city board of educa- tion for $3,500. He intended to have a parochial school here. When Father Weber had hold of the parish there were only thirty-five families connected with it.
Rev. P. C. N. Dwyer succeeded Father Weber as pastor of the church. He began his services in July, 1901, and it is largely due to him that St. Mary's has such a commodious and substantial building. In March, 1902, this new church on High street was begun. The corner-stone was laid on July 20, 1902, the church was enclosed the same year, and in 1903 the first mass was said in the basement at Christmas time. The dedica- tion of the church was held on JJuly 20, 1907. The total cost of the church property, including church building, lot and parson- age, with all furniture and fixtures, was $60,000.
The present officers of the church are Peter Boyle, Jomm Mock Jr .. M. J. Ryan and Charles Mortz. The present member- . ship is abont 600.
Zion Reformed Church.
Zion's Reformed church was organized October 26, 1894. The present building was erected the following year, the corner- stone being laid July 30th.
For many years St. Paul's Lutheran church, standing on Vine street, near Market, was used by a congregation under the same title, that is Zion Reformed church, in conjunction with the Lutheran congregation. This church was burned, and the two congregations separated, the first Zion Reformed church- disbanding. This first church purchased a lot on which the present Zion church stands. They held their last communion on the 25th of August, 1872. After a time the trustees turned a lot which occupied about the same position on Pine street that the old church had occupied on Vine street over to the present organization. This new church cost $3,000. It had twenty-six charter members. The congregation was organized by Rev. C. W. Brugh, who served until 1896. He was followed by Rev. E. H. Laubach, who served two years. Rev. J. J. Gruber served eight years, that is, until 1904. Rev. George Th. Nevin Beam, who served five years, followed. The present pastor is Rev. Hange. The membership is 165. The elders of the church are Messrs. Martin Schneider, J. J. Deitz, Julius Ziegler; the dea- cons. Joseph S. Morrison, Charles E. Gilbert, John C. Schmidt.
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ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.
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The Sunday school in connection with the church was organized by Rev. J. C. Horning in 1894. The first meeting was held in the Y. M. C. A .; after that in the third floor of the old Opera House block ; later in Odd Fellows hall, until the church was dedicated.
Tod Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Tod Avenue Methodist Episcopal church was established in 1897. L. W. LePage was appointed minister for West Warren at the conference held in September of that year. In 1898 the fol- lowing men were elected at the conference of the First Methodist church, as trustees: B. F. Wonders, R. P. Mcclellan, A. R. Moore, C. L. Bailey, A. F. Spear and J. F. Wilson. These trus- tees purchased a lot at the corner of Tod avenue and Buckeye street from James M. Quinby and wife for $900. The building committee consisted of Rev. Mr. LePage, B. F. Wonders, A. R. Moore and J. F. Wilson. The erection of the church began in April, 1898, and was dedicated in August of the same year. It cost $4,000. The pastors have been as follows: Rev. L. W. LePage, 1898-1900; Rev. W. H. Talmadge, 1900-1901; Rev. H. H. Scott, 1901-1904; Rev. S. L. Boyers, six months; Rev. L. C. Hallock, finished out Mr. Boyers' term of six months and served an additional year. Rev. F. H. Hill took charge in 1906 and still serves.
A parsonage was built in 1904, costing $2,700.
The present trustees of this church are A. L. Tayler, F. S. Gould, S. E. Wanamaker, Jesse Diehl, R. D. MeCanley, B. F. Wonders, A. R. Moore, Mrs. Anna Hurd, Lewis Durst. So far as we know, Mrs. Hurd is the only woman holding a church position of this kind in Warren. The present membership is 260.
Christian Science Church.
In 1901 a Christian Science Society was organized in War- ren, the members meeting in private homes. On January 5, 1902, the first public services were held in a room over the First National Bank, with Miss Ella Phelps as first reader. On Miss Phelps leaving town some six months later, Miss Lucie B. Ohl was elected first reader and Charles S. Adams, second reader. In October, 1903, meetings were discontinued, but were resumed a year later in a private house on High street. In
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October, 1906, Mr. Adams was chosen first reader and Miss Matilda White, second reader. In November, 1906, the meet- ing place was changed to a room on the second floor of the Gillmer-Wallace Block, on Main street. In the following June Miss White moved to Youngstown, and Miss Jennie A. Terry, of Cortland, was chosen to fill her place. In December a front room on the first floor of the Opera House block was secured and services held there and reading room kept open every after- noon except Sunday. The first reader now is Charles S. Adams, and the second. Mrs. Amelia Sommers. Though at present organized as a society, a church will eventually be formed under the name of First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Warren, Ohio.
Mr. Adams is a great-great-grandson of Mrs. Rowe, the first Episcopalian and a son of Whittlesey Adams, the oldest Presbyterian.
Grace United Evangelical Church.
In 1902 the Ohio Conference was urged to take up missions of the above church in cities. The conference appointed Rev. S. E. Wright, Rev. T. R. Smith, Rev. J. A. Grimm, and lay brethren, Herman W. Masters, M. B. Templin, G. W. Ripley and Levi Bear, to look after the interests of the mission in Warren. The only local man was Herman W. Masters. This committee secured a lot on Belmont street for $700. In April, 1903, Rev. H. D. Schultz was appointed to take charge of this mission. This church organization started, as did many of those of the early days, with a meeting in the courthouse. The school board granted them permission to use the wooden build- ing then on Mercer street as a temporary place of meeting. The first services held there were the last Sunday in May. At that time a Sunday school of twenty-eight members was organ- ized, H. Blake Masters being the superintendent. When the church organization was perfected the establishing members were Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Masters, G. W., Blake, John, Charles and James Masters, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Morrow, Miss Sadie Morrow and I. D. Schultz. In June, ground was broken for the new church, and on the 23rd of August the corner-stone was laid. Those assisting in this ceremony were the Rev. Mr. Jester and Scott of the Methodist churches, Rev. Mr. Bates of the Disciple, Rev. Mr. Ralston of the Baptist, and Rev. Mr. Crowe of the Presbyterian. Three hundred and eight dollars
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were secured on this occasion. The church was dedicated on November 22nd, by Bishop R. Dubbs, of Harrisburg, Pennsyl- vania. It is a pretty little church, well heated, lighted and carpeted. The brethren in Reading, Pennsylvania, gave a bell, and Elmer Harold, of Leetonia, a pipe organ. The cost of the «Imreh was about $6,200.
Rev. II. D. Schultz continued his pastorate for two years and a half. He was followed by J. II. Elder, who served one year. Rev. J. H. Schweisberger was in charge two years, and the present incumbent is Rev. J. Howard Sloan.
Second Christian Church.
In 1906 it was decided to erect a Christian church on the west side, in order that the members living on that side might not have so far to walk, and because the Tod Avenue church, Methodist, was interesting the children in its Sunday school, as well as some of the members in the church itself. Therefore. in 1907, the second Christian church, corner West Market and Mulberry, was erected at a cost of $11,000, and was dedicated April 14. 1907. The charter membership was composed of 216 members of the Central Christian church, who voluntarily left the home church they had helped to build for the new one all had united in founding. Rev. C. O. Reynard, the present pastor, began his work on dedication day. The membership at this date, March, 1909, is: Resident, 384; non-resident, thirty ; total. 414. A Bible school with a weekly attendance of 300, strong missionary and social organizations, together with a harmonious, progressive spirit in the entire membership, are factors that promise large usefuhiess for this church.
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CHAPTER XIX-SCHOOLS.
SCHOOL LANDS IN WESTERN RESERVE .- FIRST SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS IN WARREN .- WARREN ACADEMY .- SCHOOL DIS- CIPLINE .- SELECT SCHOOLS .- BEGINNING OF PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM .- EARLY TEACHERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS .- REMINISCENCES .- UNCOMFORTABLE SCHOOLHOUSES .- OLD-TIME PEDAGOGY .-- WARREN SCHOOLHOUSES FOR FIFTY YEARS .- PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACH- ERS .-- BOARD OF EDUCATION .- SUPERIN- TENDENTS .- ALUMNI OF WARREN HIGH SCHOOL.
When Connecticut passed laws in regard to the selling of its western lands it provided that in every township 500 acres of land should be set apart for the support of schools. This act, however, was never effective, because only the Salt Spring tract was disposed of by Connecticut itself. When the state later authorized the sale of the land, it provided that the money arising from that sale should be held in the perpetual fund which should be used for the payment of ministers' salaries, the erection of churches of all denominations, and for school pur- poses. This action was disapproved of strongly, and finally. when the land actually was sold, the entire sum, as we have seen, was kept for the use of Connecticut schools. This was invested in such a way that the $1,200,000 became $2,000,000. This was a large sum for the early days, and all teachers and most text books pointed out this wonderful act of a conscientious and progressive people. The generosity in regard to schools, however, applied only to the mother state. Either accidentally or purposely Connecticut sold the Western Reserve without pro- viding any kind of school fund, which was a drawback to coloni- zation. Many old residents today testify that their mothers who came into this wilderness nearly broke their hearts, not at the thought of bringing their children into the wilderness, but
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that there was no chance of educating them, when they were here. The state of Ohio had made proper provision for its sehiools, but this provision did not apply to three reservations, the Western Reserve, the Virginia Military district and United States military bounty lands. It is easily seen, then, that these important reservations were at a disadvantage.
In 1807 Congress appropriated eighty-seven and one-half square miles in Tuscarawas and Holmes counties for schools of the three above mentioned districts, and fifty-nine square miles more in 1834. This last appropriation came from the northwestern part of the state. The Western Reserve therefore had 93,760 acres of land, the proceeds of which could apply to the maintenance of schools. It was found very hard to lease these lands, and consequently the legislature sold them in 1852. The result brought a quarter of million of dollars for the sup- port of schools in the Western Reserve. This is known as "The Irreducible School Fund," and is still used for the purpose which it was intended. All school treasurers report each year a certain sum, insigmtieant, to be sure, in comparison with the general fund, but still a contribution. For instance, in Warren for the school year 1908-09 it amounted to $158.96.
The first schoolhouse in the city of Warren stood on the present Monumental Park. It was of logs, as was also the see- ond one, which was located in the neighborhood of the Park Hotel. The third schoolhouse was a frame one, built north of the first structure.
Mr. George Parsons was the first teacher in the first school- house. Mr. John Leavitt was probably the first teacher of the second schoolhouse. This building soon became a dwelling house.
So far as is known, the first woman who taught school was Miss Mary Case, the daughter of Leonard Case, Sr., and the mother of Misses Mary and Harriet Stevens. She was a very talented woman. had a sweet voice, sang in the early choirs, was a devoted student and brought her family up to love study and culture. She married Mr. Benjamin Stevens, and together they lived a long, useful, happy, loving life.
The second woman teacher was Miss Naney Bostwick. She was the aunt of Mrs. Mary B. Harmon and was the sister-in-law of Oliver Patch's mother. Her school was known as "A Young Ladies' Seminary." It was held in the third story of Castle William. It is recorded that "she gave
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at least one public exhibition, at which young ladies read essays and performed in general, as is usual upon such occasions." Some of the early men teachers were George Parsons, John Leavitt, Alexander Sutherland, Samuel Forward, Colonel Cyrus Bosworth (who married Sarah Case) and a Mr. Olcott. The school of the latter was in existence about the time of Miss Bostwick's and was taught in a house which stood between the present McConnell's eating house and Perry's printing place. Mr. Olcott was a Yale graduate and a good teacher.
On November 10, 1818, an advertisement appears in the Western Reserve Chronicle, of the grammar school to be opened in Warren in which Latin and Greek, English language, geog- raphy, arithmetic, geometry, philosophy and logie will be taught. Mr. Reed was teacher. The tuition for Latin and Greek and higher branches, $5; for arithmetic, grammar and geography, $3. The committee was Adamson Bentley, J. B. Harmon, Jeremiah Brooks, Ephraim Quinby.
In the early '20s Mr. Tower had a school in a frame build- ing which stood where the Warren dry goods store now is, but faced Park avenue. About this time Miss Norton, afterwards Mrs. General Curtis, of Sharon, taught in a building on East Market street that had been used as an office by Judge Calvin Pease. Here Miss MeNeal also kept school.
In 1837-38 a seleet school was held in a large frame building where the machine shop belonging to W. C. and Austin Pendle- ton now stands. Mr. Daniel JJagger was the teacher. He was a resident of Windham, and taught here again in 1840 in a store room which stood on the east part of the lot now owned by the Warren Packard estate, corner of High and Mahoning.
In 1819 L. Andrews opened a school on Main street.
About 1818 the Warren School Association was formed. The original trustees were James Quigley, Richard Iddings, Samuel Leavitt, Francis Freeman and George Parsons. These trustees erected the academy about 1820. There were four departments, two primary departments, one for girls and boys. and two high schools, one for girls and boys. However, the boys and girls did not long stay separated, although the schools -the primary and high schools-were separate.
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