Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio, Part 26

Author: Harbaugh, T. C. (Thomas Chalmers), 1849-1924, ed. and comp
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co
Number of Pages: 882

USA > Ohio > Miami County > Troy > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 26
USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 26

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The ministry of the church of the wil- derness assumed the position and respon- sibility of their calling under the confident

belief that each man of them was specially called and sent forth by the Holy Spirit of peace and power as the ambassador of Christ. The office of the backwoods preacher was no sinecure. His field of labor was the world. His salary rarely ex- cecded seventy dollars and in later times he considered himself

"Passing rich at forty pounds a year."

Nothing more was allowed a man with a wife than without one, for it was under- stood by the ministers of the old church that a preacher had no business with a wife and that he was a great deal better without. Francis Asbury, the pioneer Methodist, discountenanced matrimony, and Bishop McKendree, after whom Me- Kendree Chapel was named, remained a bachelor. It was Asbury who said, npon hearing that one of his preachers had mar- ried: "I fear the women and the devil will get all my preachers."

The early ministers of Miami County had small encouragement, indeed, in the way of pecuniary support to which they could look forward. They came to the wil- derness to face perils, want, weariness, unkindness, cold and hunger. The bare earth in winter and summer was three- fourths of the time their bed, a saddle their pillow and the sky their eoverlet. They studied the hymn-book nearly as de- votedly and constantly as the Bible, and with these two they had an arsenal from which they could bring forth weapons adapted to every emergeney. When some obstreperons sinner disturbed their meet- ings they strode down from the baekwoods pulpit and ejected the offender by main foree, after which the sermon was resumed as if nothing had happened. On one oeea- sion a Spring Creek disturber was seized

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by the stalwart preacher and carried to the nearest water, where he received an im- mersion not at all to his liking.

What of the preaching of these, our pioneer men of God? They not only knew the Bible, but they knew other books as well. Young and Milton were intimate companions of these old wayfarers. Mil- tonie descriptions of perdition abounded in their preaching, and the Judgment with all the solemn array of the Last Assize was vividly delineated by them. Their rather topographical descriptions of the good and bad worlds met with favor by their au- dienees. The earnest lives of the settlers, filled with necessities and arduous strug- gles to supply them, must have appropri- ate religious food; and these simple-heart- ed, firmly believing ernsaders of the wil- derness were just the men to give it to them. There was an immense deal of force and stamina in the method of the first preachers of the country. They spoke loud and with the whole body; their feet and hands were put in requisition as well as their tongues and head. They had to make their sermons as they were traveling along the way, and a hard, rugged way it was.

An interesting anecdote is told of one of our old itinerants who invaded the Still- water Valley in the early days. He had spent one night out in the cold and there was a prospect of spending another in the same cheerless manner. He thought of his lonely journey and of the perils that com- passed it. Then his faith lifted him to a better, brighter world, its rest and reward for the wayfarer, and he thought of the good Father and of the angels that are sent to suceor and to minister, and his heart presently filled with overflowing

gladness, and he struck up a hymn, for he was a famous singer :

"Peace, troubled soul; thou needst not fear, Thy great Provider still is near; Who fed thee last will feed thee still, Be calm and sink into His will."

He went on with the song and looking about him, saw that he was near a house, for its woman and the children were crowd- ing about him with tears in their eyes. As he concluded, the old lady shouted : "Pete, put up the gentleman's horse. Girls, have a good supper for the preach- er." And thus he was fed and lodged for a song.

Another story pertaining to the pioneer preachers who brought the gospel into this locality may also be told here. The old gospel wayfarer, after preaching in Indiana, came to try for the saving of souls among the growing settlements along the Miami. Himself and family had barely enough to keep body and soul together. The wolf was constantly at the door. They had borne their poverty without a mur- mur. The preacher was much beloved, · tall, slender, graceful, with a winning eoun- tenance, a kindly eye where flashed the fire of genius, a voice silvery and power- ful in speech, sweet as a wind-harp in song. As this country began to settle more a large land-holder, much attached to the preacher, knowing his poverty, wished to make an expression of his grateful regard and affection. Therefore he presented him with a title-deed to a quarter section of land. The man of God went his way with a glad and humble heart, that there was provision made for his own advancing age and the wants of his rising family. In three months he returned. Alighting at the gate, he removed his saddle bags and

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began to fumble in their capacious pockets. As he reached the door where stood his friendly host to welcome him he drew out the parchment, saying :

"Here, sir, I want to give you back your title-deed." "What's the matter ?" asked his friend, "Any flaw in it?" "No." "Isn't it good land?" "Good as any in the State." "Sickly situation?" "Healthy as any other." "Do you think I repent the gift?" "I haven't the slight- est reason to doubt your generosity." "Why don't you keep it, then ?" "Well, sir," said the preacher, "you know I am very fond of singing and there's one hymn in the book, the singing of which is one of the greatest comforts of my life. I haven't been able to sing it with my whole heart since I was here. A part of it runs this way :

"No foot of land do I possess, No cottage in the wilderness; A poor wayfaring man, I lodge awhile in tents below And gladly wander to and fro Till I my Canaan gain. There is my home and portion fair ! My treasure and my heart are there, And my abiding home."

"Take your title-deed," he added, "I had rather sing that hymn with a clear conscience than own America."

Such were the men of God who preached Christ and liim crucified in the wilderness of the Miami.

The old circuit riders who journeyed from Stillwater to the Miami and along the banks of Spring Creek, Honey Creek and Lost Creek were giants in their day. As yet there were few places that might be dignified by the name of houses of wor- ship. The brick church was yet in the womb of time. The backwoods minister was always outspoken. When he chided frivolity or uncleanness it was in no un-

certain language. He "struck out from the shoulder," as it were. Very often "the fool who came to jibe remained to pray." On one occasion one of these old preachers noticed that one of his con- gregation, an influential member of the community and a lover of tobacco, was ex- pectorating freely on the floor. The minis- ter had been discoursing very pointedly on uncleanliness in general, but at last he broke out with: "Now I reckon you want to know who I mean? I mean that dirty, filthy tobacco chewer sitting on the end of that front seat. See what he has been about. Look at the puddles on the floor. A frog wouldn't get into them. Think of the tails of the sisters' dresses being draged through that muck." The crest- fallen user of the weed, who died many years ago in the county, declared that he never chewed any more tobacco in church.

There were many camp meetings in the dawn of church history in this county. They were conducted by preachers like Peter Cartwright and others. These were famous gatherings to which the whole neighborhood turned out and they lasted for days. There were some wonderful conversions during these meetings. The powerful convincing eloquence of the back- woods preacher was the moving force. The "mourners' bench," often erected in the forest, always had its complement of sinners seeking grace. Everybody joined in singing the old-fashioned hymns, which now, alas! are seldom heard. Under the inspiration of these hymns, frequently in- terspersed with fervent "Amens," hun- dreds professed the new life and went on their way rejoicing.

Oliver Goldsmith, in his matchless "De- serted Village," thus beautifully describes

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the old preacher, one of the kind under whose benign ministrations sat the pioneer fathers and mothers of our county :

"Remote from towns, he ran his goodly race, Nor e'er had changed, nor wished to change his place, Unskilled he to fawn or seek for power By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour; Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, And e'en his failings leaned to Virtue's side, But in his duty, prompt at every call, He watched and wept, he prayed and felt for all. He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, Allured to brighter worlds and led the way, To them his heart, his love, his griefs were given, But all his serious thoughts had rest in heaven."

The true worth of the pioneer preacher cannot be computed. He did a great work among the settlements along the Miami. Poverty had no terrors for him. He builded up little congregations which in time became the foremost ones of the county. His whole soul was in his mission. He visited the sick, comforted the mourner, prayed with the dying and often read the burial service to the howl of the sneaking wolf. He carried his saddle bag's through the snows of winter, forded the Miami amid the howlings of the tempest and ap- peared an angel of light to the little family around the pioneer hearth. And when his sacred work was ended he "folded the drapery of his couch about him" and, se- cure in the great reward which was to be his, bowed to the will of God and passed from the stage of action.

I have written this description of the backwoods evangels in order to let the pres- ent generation know what sort of men carried the Cross through our county in the days of its formation. They had the

zeal of the Crusader without his fanati- cism, the perseverance of Napoleon withi- out his ambition. They seemed to see the grandeur which was to come when they were gone, the building of a populous com- monwealth where their forest altars were erected. They preached not for the pres- ent alone, but for the future. They en- dured the pangs of hunger and slept on the flowerless couch of poverty that com- ing generations, seeing their good work, might take it up and carry it to full frui- tion. From the tireless efforts of these earnest ministers of God arose the present state of religion which the county enjoys.

There is nothing so interesting in our history as the labors of the little band of men who carried the Word up and down the Miami. The rains and snows of a cen- tury have blotted out their footsteps, their graves are hidden in out-of-the-way places, the modest tombstones erected over them have crumbled away and their very names are in many instances, forgotten, but the work they did is written on the imperisli- able tablets of the Most High. Miami County owes to her first "sowers of the seed of righteousness" a debt of gratitude beyond her power to fully pay. There are no living duplicates of these men, for the times have changed and the wilderness has disappeared. They were the men for the times, they came forth when they were needed, did their work nobly and, passing, left the infant church to the care of the earnest believers who were to come after them. Peace to their ashes !

CHAPTER XIX.

PRESENT RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF THE COUNTY

Local History of the Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Friends or Quakers, Episcopalians-German Baptists-Christians, Roman Catholics, Etc.

With the passing of the pioneer preacher the religious development of the county was rapid. Houses of worship sprang up in every direction. These were suited to the times, for congregations as yet were small, and the beginnings were meager but gave promise of better things. In order to intelligently trace the rise of the different denominations in the county I shall take them up one by one, giving in a nutshell the history of each.

THE BAPTISTS.

Not long after the formation of the county in 1807 this denomination organ- ized a church at Troy. Its first preacher was Stephen Riddle, a boastful man who had spent much of his life among the In- dians. He is said to have had his ears pierced for leaden pendants and he fre- quently boasted that during his sojourn with the tribes he had killed white people. Whether his statements caused his stay with the Troy brethren to be brief, I do not know, but at any rate he didn't remain long. About 1813 a log church was built. This edifice was heated by a tin-plate stove which proved obstreperous on sev-

eral occasions. A man named Stapleton now had the care of the flock. Later on the log church disappeared and a better house of God arose on the corner of Franklin and Cherry Streets. In 1834 a meeting was held in this edifice and regu- lar articles of incorporation were pre- pared. The organization was completed the same year and J. L. Moore was chosen pastor. In 1838 E. French preached for the congregation and during the same year Samuel Hervey and Z. Eaton were pas- tors. This denomination continued to prosper at Troy and today the Baptists have a large membership. The present pastor is Rev. D. W. Holt.

In 1830 the Baptists erected their first church in Piqua. It was an inadequate structure, but services continued to be held in it till 1848, when a new church was built on the corner of High and Wayne Streets. Among the noted divines who oc- cupied this pulpit are Rev. John L. Moore, John E. Thomas, David E. Thomas, Dr. Shephardson and Lyman Fisher. The founders of the Piqua Baptist Church were the Mannings, Hilliards, Blues, Mc- Campbells, Garveys, Drakes and Cavins.

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HISTORY OF MLASH COUNTY

Piqua now has three commodious Baptist churches with the following pastors : Parke Avenue Baptist, Dr. Wilson; Calvary Bap- tist, Rev. J. W. Beck; First Baptist, 1. M. Lloyd.

The first meetings of the Tippecanoe Baptists were held in the old schoolhouse in 1851, at which time the congregation com- prised but twelve persons. The first pas- tor was L. C. Carr. A new church was erected in 1878 and at the present time William Pieffer is the resident pastor. This church has risen from small begin- nings to be one of the pillars of this par- ticular faith in the county. East of the river the Baptists have several congrega- tions. The Baptist church at Fletcher was organized in 1861, from which year till 1864 David E. Thomas was pastor. He was succeeded by E. D. Thomas, who was followed by Elder Daniel Bryant, J. W. Weatherby, G. W. Taylor, W. S. Kent and Joseph N. Scott. Many revivals have been held in the Fletcher Baptist Church, which today has no regular pastor. In 1855 a Baptist church, which up to that time had been a branch of the Honey Creek denomi- nation, was organized at Lena. Its first minister was David Scott, who became somewhat noted as a debater and divine. This little church is in a flourishing condi- tion. Its present pastor is Rev. Alby Kite.

The Lost Creek Baptist congregation, which was an off-shoot of the old Stann- ton Church, long ago demolished, was or- ganized in 1816. The first minister in charge was Samuel Deweese. In 1821 a church building was erected of hewn logs. The following queer entry is to be found on the books of this church: "Agreed to employ Brother Abia B. Martin to lay two floors in the meeting-house, to plough and

groove both floors, to plane one side of the upper floor and to make two doors and casings, for which the church agree to pay Brother Martin $20 in work at Mr. For- dyce's if said Martin should want it there ; if not, to be paid in wheat, corn or young cattle." In 1837 there was a secession from this church and another, a log affair, was ereeted in the same township on the Casstown-Addison Turnpike. The new church was called Providence, but it dis- appeared long ago and no other was built. The Lost Creek Baptist Church of 1816 was succeeded by a brick edifice, but with- in the last few years this has been torn down and nothing remains to mark its site but the Baptist burying ground.

The Casstown Baptist Church was or- ganized about 1851, with Willis Hance, Sr., as pastor. It remained in a flourish- ing condition for a number of years, but at present no regular services are held. Among its old ministers I find the names of Robert Stapleton, Samuel Deweese, Wil- liam Sutton, Moses Frazee, L. C. Carr, David Bryant, T. P. Childs, John Blod- gett, J. G. Trnnison, J. B. Weatherby and J. W. Miller. Just before the outbreak of the Civil War the Lost Creek Baptists held a number of publie debates with the Lutherans on the subject of baptism. These disputations waxed warm for a con- siderable period and noted ministers from a distance took part. Nothing, however, was settled by the controversy for

"He that complies against his will, Is of his own opinion still."

THE METHODISTS.

Since many of the pioneer preachers professed the faith of John Wesley, it was natural that the Methodists should obtain

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a strong foothold in the county. This church has always been aggressive, and to this fact, no doubt, it owes much of its present prosperity. The Methodists or Wesleyites, as they were called in an early day, were among our first pioneers, though the Quakers or Friends arrived here about the same time. The first Methodist churches in the county were supplied by traveling ministers who came at stated intervals and held services. The congre- gations at first were very small, but in- creased in numbers, owing, no doubt, to the numerous camp meetings which were held by that persuasion. Before the first Methodist church was established here, meetings were held at Mr. Winan's house, where Raper Chapel now stands. Later on Mr. Gahagan donated a lot in Troy and a log church was erected thereon. Among the carly divines who preached to the Methodists of Troy were such noted ones as Revs. Bascom, Finney, Raper and El- liott. The log church remained where it was built for about ten years. Another edifice succeeded and in 1840 a still better one was built. This church went through a remodeling process, but very recently the Troy Methodists erected the beautiful church which they now occupy. This church is one of the handsomest structures in the state. The pastor in charge is Rev. W. H. Werhly.

Dr. Dorsey in his published account of Piqua has well said that "it has long been noted for the number and excellence of its churches." Few cities of its size in the Union can compete with it in this direc- tion. It has two flourishing Methodist churches at the present time. The Greene Street Methodist Church, Dr. W. A. Dea- ton in charge, is the outgrowth of the first

Methodist congregation which worshipped in the old Seminary. A real church was erected in 1825 on Spring Street, but this gave way for the present Greene Street Church in 1836, since which time regular services have been held in this noted struc- ture.

Grace Methodist Church is an out- growth of the Greene Street congregation. For a while the new addition worshipped south of the railroad, but finding that their numbers were constantly increasing it was determined to erect a commodious edifice and Grace Church sprang into existence. It has well maintained itself for many years and has a large membership. H. E. Armacost is the present minister.

The Methodists of Tippecanoe, needing a house of worship, erected one in Hyatts- ville, which has since become a part of the larger town. This church was very primi- tive, built of logs, with a great old-fash- ioned fireplace which diffused ample heat during the coldest winters. In 1840 the first church disappeared, giving way for one more in keeping with the times and the wealth of the members. Revs. Me- Pherson and Rutledge held pulpits in this church in the dawn of its history. In 1860 a new church was built and this accommo- dated the increasing membership. Owen M. Sellers is the present pastor in charge.

The Covington Methodists built their first church in 1836, but a year later it was demolished by a severe storm. This mis- fortune seems to have discouraged the Newberry brethren, for a number of years elapsed before they again had an organiza- tion in Covington. At present the Meth- odist Episcopal church of that town is presided over by W. H. Spybey and the church is in a flourishing condition.

artères

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, TROY

CHRISTIAN CHURCH, TROY

M. E. CHURCH, TROY

EPISCOPAL CHURCH, TROY

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In Union Township the Methodists had hard work in establishing a church. The Friends seemed to flourish there above all others and other denominations lahored under many difficulties. At last about 1833, the Methodists saw their way clear to build a church in West Milton, which flourished for a season and then declined. Today the Methodists of that township are represented by a Methodist Episcopal Church in West Milton over which R. O. Matthews presides.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Pleasant Hill is of comparatively recent growth, therefore its history belongs to the history of Methodism in Union Town- ship. This church, which stands on South Church Street, is in the charge of the same pastor who looks after the Methodist con- gregation of West Milton, Rev. Matthews.

Fletcher witnessed the coming of Metli- odism in 1820 when Andrew Oliver do- nated land for the first church there. This structure was torn down in later years and another built, which is occupied by the Methodists of that flourishing little town. Rev. S. Bowersox is the present minister. He also fills the pulpit in the Lena Meth- odist Church.

The Casstown Methodist Church dates its organization some years back. I have no authentic records concerning the year of its institution. Its first services were hield in an old-fashioned brick church on the Troy-Casstown Pike, but this edifice was torn away and a new church built on Center Street. Of late this church build- ing has been remodeled and is now the finest of the smaller Methodist churches of the county. Rev. D. S. Ferguson of the Troy Circuit is the pastor in charge.

Brandt has been productive of Method- ism. It has at least one flourishing church of this denomination, the organization of which was effected in 1839. It was dedi- cated by the celebrated Granville Moody. The Pisgah Methodist Episcopal Church was also erected in Bethel Township in 1825 and was among the first churches built in the county.

McKendree Chapel was erected in Eliz- abeth Township in 1832. From 1812 to the year of erection of McKendree Chapel the people worshiped in a log cabin, but in 1845 the present church edifice of brick was erected and formally dedicated. In 1811 MeKendree was attached to the Mad River District and John Collins was its pastor. This church has long been among the famous churches of the county and today holds a unique place in local Meth- odism. Rev. John Neer is the present min- ister at MeKendree and the church will soon celebrate its centennial with appro- priate ceremonies. Raper Chapel, which is supplied by Rev. D. S. Ferguson, is about four miles North of Troy. As a country church it has long been noted for its zeal in the cause of the Master. Its history dates back to the earliest times and its beginnings were really in the wil- derness. Such has been the progress of Methodism within the limits of our county. In some of the remoter portions other congregations have flourished for a time, but the ones mentioned above are the most noted.

There stands on the Staunton and Spring Creek Pike, but in Spring Creek Township, a little Methodist church local- ly known as Beech Bethel. It was erected many years ago and was largely attended by the people of its immediate neighbor-

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hood. As one of the rural churches of the county it has acquired more than local fame and some quite eminent ministers have filled its pulpit since its erection.

THE PRESBYTERIANS.

In 1830 the old school Presbyterians erected the first church of that denomina- tion in Piqna. It stood on Wayne Street, south of Sycamore and served the purpose of the congregation till about 1844, when a new church was built. Rev. James Coe was the first officiating minister. He was an earnest; able man. Today this church, known as the First Presbyterian, is one of the pillars of religious faith in Piqua. Its present pastor is Rev. D. M. Davis.

The Second Presbyterian Church of the same city succeeded the one above men- tioned by a few years. Rev. Graves was its first minister and he was followed by a number of excellent pastors who kept burning the fires of Presbyterianism in the Border City. When the two bodies of the Presbyterian Church united Rev. J. Thompson was pastor of the Second Church. This union took place in 1876. The Second Church has a large member- ship of earnest people, who are ministered to by John Montgomery, the present pas- tor.

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Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio, Part 26

Author: Harbaugh, T. C. (Thomas Chalmers), 1849-1924, ed. and comp Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co Number of Pages: 882

Author: Harbaugh, T. C. (Thomas Chalmers), 1849-1924, ed. and comp
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co
Number of Pages: 882