Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 25

Author: McKelvey, A. T., 1844- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 25

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The salary of the superintendent of schools is $1,500; that of high school principals, $720. The average wages of the lady teachers are $39.8.1; average wages of gentlemen teach- ers, $67.50. The cost of education per capita on the total enrollment is $9.49. Between $1,500 and $2,000 have been expended in the maintenance of the library.

The present Board of Education consists of J. H. Heatherington, president; George Wal- ters, vice-president ; II. A. Lichtenberger, sec- retary; and H. P. Rodewig, C. M. Wyrick, D. Walker and I. Dean.

THE CHURCHES.

The following is a brief history of the vari- ous churches in Bellaire :

The Christian Church .- Date of organiza- tion of the Christian Church in Bellaire is July 4, 1840. John Archer, Sr., and Adam Long were elected elders and Jolin Archer, Jr., and Richard Gosney, deacons. The original mem- bers were:

John Archer, Sr., Rudolph W. Archer, Ben- jamin Archer, James G. Archer, John Archer, Jr., Adam Long, Philip Long, Jacob Heath- erington, Richard Gosney, Jesse Bailey, David Bates, Lewis Workman, Elijalı Workman, Jolın A. Gallagher, James Gill, Robert Rus- sell, Ibba Starkey, Nancy Archer, Cynthia A. Archer, Mary A. Long, Thirsey Nelson, Mar- garet Nelson, Mary A. Rodefer, Martha Bailey, Elizabeth Bailey, Eliza Heatherington, Olive Austin, Saralı Bates, Mary Marling, Rachel Marling, Elizabeth Marling, Elizabeth Gallagher, Abbey Rodefer, Nancy Wakefield, Joanna Wakefield, Mary Reid, Melinda Chris- ten, Mary Workman and Ellen Fitchi.

Jolin Archer, Sr., was a cooper by trade and carried on this business in his shop which stood on the bank of the Ohio River and near the mouth of McMechen's Creek in what is now Bellaire. In this shop the organization of this church was effected and meetings for worship were held for several years or until a church building was erected. Here, on the 12th day of March, 1841, J. H. Jones, a preacher from the Western Reserve, preached. The cooper- shop overflowed. "Where shall I stand?" said the preacher. "There," said Mr. Archer, turning up a half-bushel measure, "stand on that." And there on that narrow pulpit he preached the Gospel with eloquence and power.

The church soon outgrew the narrow limits of the coopershop and in 1843 a meeting was held to consider the question of building a house of worship. In 1846 the work of build- ing began and the house was completed in the same year. This church building stood on the ground now occupied by the Second Ward school house in Bellaire. The opening services in the new building were held by Alexander Campbell and Robert Graham on the second Sunday in the month of December, 1846. Here the congregation continued to worship until the present church building was erected in 1870. From 1840 to 1862 many ministers, some of them prominent among the Disciples, preached occasional discourses or conducted meetings, but during this time there was no settled pastor. Dating from 1862 the list of preachers in charge and the terms served is as follows: 1862-66, H. S. Glasier; 1866-69, TI. D. Carlton; 1870-72, Jesse HI. Berry; 1872-77, I. J. Spencer; 1878-82, B. S. Dean; 1883-86, J. M. Monroe; 1887-92, A. B. Williams; 1893-96, R. G. White; 1896-97, W. P. Walden; 1897-1902, Charles M. Wat- son. The elders of the church at present are as follows: W. J. Morrison, Leroy Hopkins, Theobald Klee and Joseph Mertz. The deacons are: George Mertz, J. W. Morrell, Robert Anderson, David Walker, Thomas Strong, D. T. Anderson and Robert Lawrence. There are about 450 members.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church .-

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Rev. C. D. Battelle, pastor of St. Clairsville circuit, in 1839 preached in a wareroom the first Methodist sermon in the then village of Bellaire, and a few weeks later organized a class of It members: Garrett Jones, Joseph Long, Macca Long, Jacob Davis, Rebecca Davis, Mary Davis, Robert Patterson, Polly Patterson, James Robinson, Jane Robinson and Jacob Davis. Garrett Jones was appointed leader and chosen Sunday-school superintend- ent. Soon 10 more united and the planting was of the Lord. A board of trustees was appoint- ed: Joseph Long, Joseph Wilson, Jacob Davis, Thomas Crozier, James Robinson, Thomas P. Hunter, Robert H. O'Neill.

The first church building was erected on 27th street in the winter of 1839-40, in which the people worshiped until 1857, when the pres- ent site was secured and then the struggle of . building a two-story, brick structure began. In 1860 the basement was finished at a cost of $4,000 and dedicated. In 1863 the auditorium was completed and dedicated January 24, 1864. About this time it became a station. Thus far it had been in St. Clairsville circuit, Martins- ville circuit, Centreville circuit and then be- came a circuit of its own with only two outly- ing points.

In 1889 a handsome, commodious, new church was built at a cost of $20,000 or more. The laity who toiled through these years are worthy of mention, but they are too many and records are too brief. Many have their re- wards; many remain, honored and respected.

The ministry that served has been among the worthy of God's chosen heralds. Some of these are not, some are.

The first presiding elder was Samuel R. Brockunier; then Robert Hopkins, Wesley Kenney, Gideon G. Kinnear, John Coil, J. W. Baker, J. Moffit, J. L. Deens, J. S. Brockin, S. Burt, J. M. Carr, G. W. Gray, Louis Paine, J. R. Mills, D. C. Osborne and M. J. Slutz.

The pastors : C. D. Battelle, William Knox, William Summers, John Hare, John W. Minor, I. N. McAfee, J. G. Sansom, Israel Dallas, James C. Taylor, John W. Flowers, Peter McGowan, Alfred A. Reger, James

Montgomery, William A. Ruter, L. Petty, C. H. Jackson, W. A. Davidson, Pardon Cook, J. J. Melllgar, John W. Baker, David Cross, M. W. Dallas, M. L. Weekly, P. G. Edmonds, J. L. Deens, J. D. Vail, W. K. Marshall, J. F. Jones, Walter Brown, I. A. Pierce, Josiah Mansell, J. II. Rogers, T. S. Hodgson, J. W. Toland, A. R. Chapman, A. W. Butts, Jolin Williams, R. F. Keeler, Thomas W. Lane, D. W. Chandler, O. W. Holmes, E. A. Simons and D. W. Knight.

Official board: President, George Walters; secretary, Robert C. Meyer ; treasurer, H. . 1. Lichtenberger; stewards,-Robert Anderson, L. G. Battelle, T. S. Bickerton, Thomas Cum- mins, J. W. Jones, W. G. McClain, Robert C. Meyer, William Piper, M. D., James Stewart and W. C. Stewart; recording steward,-W. G. McClain; district steward,-T. S. Bicker- ton.

The trustees are : D. T. Cowen, C. II. Dank- worth, William Dougherty, J. W. Garber, J. T. Kelley, Il. A. Lichtenberger, Dr. J. S. Mc- Clellan, John Parks and George Walters. The class leaders are: A. T. Keyser, Stephen Hipkins and Elias Williams. The Sunday- school superintendent is L. G. Battelle. The Epworth League president is Dr. J. S. Mc- Clellan. The salary has ranged from $300 to $1,500,-the present salary. The benevolences for the past conference year were as follows :

Missions $500

Freedmen's Aid

Board of Church Extension. 35

Education 41

Tract Society 8

Sunday School Union

American Bible Society S

Total $650

Necessities

Bishops

Total $724

The Second Methodist Episcopal Church .- The church was organized about the year 1881 by T. H. Armstrong, Ph. D., who was its first pastor and under whose supervision the build- ing was erected on its present site, and dedi- cated October 23, 1881. Among its first of-

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ficial members were: Isaac L. Fawcett, M. J. Brand, Thomas Strong, Robert Hemphill, John Workman, Jonathan Huffman, John Camp, W. K. Long and B. F. Morgan. A Sunday-school was organized several years earlier, about 1876, of which Jonathan Huff- man was the first superintendent. Rev. A. R. Chapman, who was the pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Bellaire, preached the dedicatory sermon.

The church is valued at $3,000. There is no parsonage belonging to it. There are at the present time about 250 members and seven probationers. There is an enrollment of Sun- day-school scholars of 225, of which school George Deitritch is the efficient superintendent.

The present official board of the church is as follows: Stewards,-James M. Weeks, J. W. Grooms, George Deitritch, Marion Huffman, L. E. Wilson, William Diday and John Askew. Weeks is president and Huffman secretary of the board. Trustees: J. M. Coffield, John Askew, Edwin Sutton, John Boyer, James L. Fry, W. S. Glasgow and William Diday. Leaders of church classes : James W. Grooms, John Askew, John Boyers, L. E. Wilson and William S. Glasgow.

It is asserted that the site of the church was presented to the original trustees by the father of Rev. T. H. Armstrong. It is situated at the corner of Guernsey and 19th streets.

The First Presbyterian Church of. Bellaire was organized August 27, 1860, with John S. Cratty, John W. Milligan and A. W. Ander- son, chosen as ruling elders. At the same time a suitable brick church was erected as a house of worship.

Upon October 1, 1860, Rev. John Moffat, D. D., was chosen pastor of the church and en- tered upon his duties the second Sabbath of January, 1861. On February 3, 1863, Dr. Moffat accepted a call to the Second Presby- terian Church of Wheeling, West Virginia, and upon Angust 30, 1863, Rev. J. D. Fitzgerald became pastor as supply for six months and served the church until April, 1864, when he was released.

In June, 1866, Rev. William Gaston was chosen pastor of the church and continued to serve the congregation until December 1, 1881. In the interim, it was found necessary to erect a new house of worship to accommodate the increasing number of members, and a second church was built in 1871.

The church has had five changes of pastors since its organization, but its pulpit is now va- cant.

The members of the session are as follows : A. T. Stewart, Dr. J. P. West, A. J. McClel- land and E. W. Cooper. In connection with the church there is a prosperous and well con- ducted Sabbath-school. The present member- ship of the church numbers 250.

The United Presbyterian Church .- The Presbytery of Wheeling at a meeting in St. Clairsville, Ohio, March 12, 1872, having granted the request of certain persons that a church should be organized in Bellaire, ap- pointed a session for that purpose, consisting of the pastor and elders of the church in Wheeling and the elders of the High Ridge congregation.

In pursuance of this direction, the following persons met in Bellaire on April 29th: Rev. J. T. McClure, Messrs. A. Taylor, M. W. Mil- ler, John Jolinson and J. S. Keyser. The or- ganization was then effected with 24 members. The first elders, Alexander DuBois and Robert Walker, were ordained and installed May 8, 1872. Rev. R. G. Wallace, now of San Diego, California, was the first pastor, beginning work in 1873 and continuing as pastor until 1887.

Rev. W. F. McLanghlin became pastor in 1887 and resigned in 1889, being succeeded by Rev. William Wallace whose pastorate in- cluded from 1890 to April, 1893. Rev. I. S. Boyd became pastor in 1894 and was released in October, 1898.

The present pastor, Rev. Charles P. Prond- fit, was ordained and installed pastor of this church September 12, 1899. The elders are: John DuBois, Joseph Clemesto and Robert Johnston; trustees,-M. List, Alex. DuBois. and Jolm HT. McGraw, with W. C. Warnock,

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treasurer. The congregation worships in the original church structure, which is valued at $2,500. The present membership is 118.

While not large in numbers, the congrega- tion includes among its members many of the most reliable business men of Bellaire.

Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church .- Rev. J. K. Rogers of Steubenville, Ohio, was the first clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church to officiate regularly at Bellairc.

He held services once each month in the Presbyterian Church during the year 1861. Rev. M. Coleman, of East Liverpool, officiated for a few months in 1866, on alternate Sun- days. Rev. John Long of Wellsville organ- ized the church under the name "Trinity Mis- sion" in 1872, with eight communicants. He held services on alternate Sundays in a hall. In August of this year a framework shop on the corner of Belmont and 36th streets was leased for five years at $144 a year. It was fitted up at an expense of $280. Mr. Long resigned in 1873. Rev. T. O. Tongue of Moundsville, West Virginia, officiated from April to September in 1873.

Rev. Jacob Rambo, formerly missionary to Africa, took charge in October, 1873, preach- ing every Sunday until March, 1874, from which for 15 months he preached morning and evening on three Sundays each month. From July 1, 1875, he preached twice a day, on al- ternate Sundays, going to Cross Creek, Jef- ferson County, on the other Sundays. July I, 1878, a lot was purchased on Noble street near 42nd street for $650. Mr. Rambo resigned in December, 1879. Rev. John S. Gibson took charge in December, 1880, and resigned in 1882.

September 1, 1883, Rev. W. W. Walker took charge of the work and remained until June, 1886. During his time, steps were taken toward organizing a church at Martin's Ferry. ITe officiated there every other Sunday in the afternoon.

Rev. W. S. Campbell took charge of Trinity Church, Bellaire, and St. Paul's, Martin's Ferry, in November, 1886, officiating at Bel- laire in the morning and Martin's Ferry in the

afternoon. Mr. Campbell died at Bellaire in 1888. In 1890, Rev. C. O'Meara took charge of the church and resigned in 1891. He was succeeded in 1892 by Rev. W. H. Burbank, who remained in charge about a year. In 1895 Rev. John P. Frayter took charge of the work and remained until December, 1898. While Mr. Frayter was in charge, a Sunday-school room was erected in the rear of the church. Rev. D. W. Cox took charge of the church in July, 1900, and is in charge at this date (Oc- tober, 1902). The church has a membership of 50.

The Catholic Church .- The history of Cath- olicity in this city dates back to the early "fif- ties" and "forties." A few Catholic families, mostly of Irish origin, settled in the little country village then occupying the present site of Bellaire. The missionary fathers from Cin- cinnati, Ohio, would occasionally pass through the region and minister to the spiritual wants of the people. Notable amongst the early mis- sionary fathers was the 'Rev. French Father Tinpant, who later on made Steubenville his headquarters. In 1854 Rev. Father Bloomer from Beaver, Ohio, later Batesville, made reg- ular monthly visits to Bellaire. Father Bloom- er said mass in the houses of private individu- als and gathered about him the few families, in number about 40 persons. Father Bloomer was followed by Father Kennedy, who, how- ever, remained only a short time. About 1856, Rev. Father Jacquett, pastor of St. Mary's Church in Beaver, assumed charge of the little Catholic community in Bellaire. Father Jac- quett made regular monthly visits, and was ac- companied on these by a little altar boy from one of the best families in Batesville. This little altar boy in after years became a priest himself, and after the death of Rt. Rev. Bishop Rosecrans was made administrator of the Co- lumbus Diocese. After the appointment of Bishop Watterson to the vacant see, the young man was elected by the Sovereign Pontiff to the bishopric of Galveston in Texas, and is now Rt. Rev. Bishop Gallagher of that see. About the year 1857 Father Jacquett bought the first property owned by the Catholics in

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Bellaire. The property consisted of two lots situated on Guernsey street near the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge, which at that time, however, was not yet built. A certain Mr. Sullivan made the struggling little congrega- tion a present of a third lot. On this prop- erty Father Jacquett built the first church in Bellaire. The structure was a little brick edi- fice. At that time the Columbus Diocese had not yet been erected by the Holy Father and Bellaire was a portion of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, presided over by Archbishop Purcell. It was this archbishop that dedicated the little church upon its completion. Father Jacquett also took steps to gather the children of the few Catholic families into a school. All told, there were an even dozen of children. This school was placed in charge of secular teachers. In 1868 a certain Father Daly was made the permanent pastor of the Catholic community in Bellaire. Father Daly built the first parochial residence, which was a brick structure and is still standing. Father Daly also built the first school house for the parish, the former school occupying a small room at the corner of what are now Belmont and 31st streets. Father Daly, dying in 1870, was fol- lowed by Father Maher, who, however, re- mained only a very short time, and was fol- lowed by Rev. Father Philip Steyle in 1871 as permanent pastor. In 1872 Father Steyle bought two more lots adjoining the property already owned by the congregation and en- larged the school building. This pastor also introduced the Sisters of the Humility of Mary as teachers in the school. Father Steyle also built an addition to the brick church, enlarging the same both toward the front and rear. The Sisters of the Humility of Mary, having been withdrawn by their superioress after faithful service, were succeeded by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

In 1881 Rev. Father Daniel Cull was ap- pointed to the pastorate of Bellaire, Father Steyle taking charge of a large parish in Ports- mouth whence he was afterward transferred to Delaware, where he built a magnificent church and is now an irremovable rector. During

Father Cull's administration, the parish ac- quired new property located at the head of Guernsey street. The property consisted of four lots, two lying on each side of the street, and are bounded on the north by 37th street. The Sisters of St. Joseph having been with- drawn were replaced by the Sisters of Charity from Nazareth, Kentucky, who are at this writing still the teaching faculty in the schools. Father Cull died in January, 1888. The parish was placed in charge of Rev. Father W. H. McDermitt pending the appointment of a per- manent pastor. Father Richard Fitzgerald, rector of the Cathedral in Columbus, was ap- pointed as pastor after three months. During the rectorship of Father Fitzgerald, the school buildings were enlarged and in the year 1894 a new and magnificent brick structure was begun by reason of the increased parish. The new building was designed to furnish accommoda- tions both for the schools of the parish and to serve for a time as a church. The building was erected at the head of Guernsey street on the east side of the street.

Father Fitzgerald, falling sick of a virulent cancer that was gnawing the vitals of his throat, resigned in January, 1896, and was fol- lowed by Rev. Joseph M. Wehrle, then pastor of the Catholic Church in Wheelersburg, Ohio. Father Wehrle took possession of the parish in February of the same year and completed the brick structure begun by his predecessor. In 1897 the parochial residence was removed to the building opposite the new school building at the head of Guernsey street, and all the former property owned by the congregation below the railroad bridge was disposed of. The old church was torn down and tenement houses now occupy the site. In 1899 the con- gregation purchased more property, consisting of two lots lying to the south of the property owned by the parish at the head of Guernsey street. A large tract of land lying outside of the city limits was also purchased in order to enlarge the cemetery. In toof property was again purchased, this time at the head of Bel- mont street and bounded by 37th street on the south. The property consisted of four very

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

desirable lots and large brick mansion. This property was designed as a home for the Sisters who teach the parochial school, the community of Sisters being now more than double the number of those who first came to Bellaire in order to teach the schools of the parish. At this writing preparations are making by the congregation to build a magni- ficent parochial residence. Architects have been invited to submit plans and specifications for the new building, which will be begun next spring. The new residence will be Gothic in architecture and large and commodious in every respect. The residence is intended to be the home of at least three permanent priests in the parish, one of whom will be the pastor.

The congregation has grown from the first 40 individuals to a membership at this writing of more than 4,000 persons. The Catholic community is made up largely of Irish, Ger- mans, Slovak and Italians, while also some few Poles, Kriners, Croatians, Syrians and Bohe- mians are numbered amongst the parishioners. Besides the present large parish in the city, Father Wehrle has also charge of several mis- sions at which large numbers of Catholics are settling. The jurisdiction of the pastor ex- tends on the south to the Monroe County line and on the west comprises Washington, Smith and a portion of Richland townships, and ex- tends on the north, with the exception of two sections, to the Pease township line. While preparations are making for the building of the commodious and magnificent parochial residence, plans will also be submitted by the architects and accepted for the future church that will be built in the parish. It is the inten- tion of Father Wehrle to build the future church after the design of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Rheims, France. The building will involve an outlay of over $100,000, and will be of French Gothic architecture.

The number of children now attending the schools of the parish is over 400. Besides the high school department, there is also instric- tion given in vocal and instrumental music and fine needle work.

St. Paul's A. M. E. Church in Bellaire was

organized in 1866 by Rev. Dudley Asbury and Rev. W. 11. Brown. The latter is now a mem- ber of the Pittsburg Conference. The former died last February,-he was a member of the Tennesse Conference. There are but three members living now who were among the first in the organization of the church, namely, George W. Peters, Mrs. George W. Peters and Rebecca Jacobs, all quite aged people.

The following named pastors have had charge of St. Paul's A. M. E. Church of Bel- laire, Ohio, from 1866 to 1902: Rev. Dudley Asbury, 1866-67; Rev. Howell, 1868-69; Rev. Jenkins, 1870-71; Rev. Ferguson, 1872-73; Rev. H. W. Toney, 1874-75; Rev. Isaac Dil- lon; 1876; Rev. Alfred March, 1877-78; Rev. J. W. Lewis, 1879; Rev. George W. Stephens, 1880-81; Rev. J. M. Griffin, 1882-83; Rev. J. H. Bell, 1884-85; Rev. B. H. Lee, 1886 88; Rev. W. H. Coleman, 1880; Rev. C. S. Gee and George H. Davis, 1890; Rev. M. M. Pon- ton. r891; Rev. W. D. Mitchell, 1892; Rev. Charles Coleman, 1893-95; Rev. John M. Wilkes, 1896-97; Rev. A. R. Palmer, 1898; Rev. R. B. P. Wright, 1899; Rev. J. Il. Smith, 1900; Rev. J. D. Singleton. 1901-02.

The beautiful church edifice, in which pub- lic worship is held, has a seating capacity of 270, and is all paid for. The membership of the church is 35. The value of the church property is $8,000.

SECRET AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.

Masonic Lodges .- Bellaire has two Masonic lodges, viz .- Bellaire and Ionic, as well as Bel- laire Chapter.

Bellaire Lodge No. 267, F. & A. M., was organized October 25, 1855. The charter members were G. W. Anderson, Joel Strahl. J. Johnson. J. M. Spangler, Thomas Fulton. J. A. Porterfield, Robert Darrah, R. E. Neal, John Kelley, E. P. Birdsong. W. H. Allen and Hl. M. Dolby.

It has today a membership of 130, and the officers for 1902 are: J. W. Overman, W. M .; George E. Morgan, S. W .; R. W. Archer. J. W .: J. T. Kelley, treasurer ; Cyrus Strahl, sec-

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retary: E. C. Goodman, S. D .; Charles W. Thomas, J. D .; Thomas S. Fish, tyler; Wil- liam E. Nelson, steward; Guy W. Dankworth, junior steward; Will Doherty, chaplain; finance committee, John R. Gow, Frank A. Jackson and S. J. Rockershousen.

Ionic Lodge No. 438, F. & A. M., was organized October 19, 1870. The following are the charter members: B. R. Cowen, J. S. Smith, M. N. Mercer, David Rankin, J. T. Mercer, James B. Darrah, G. R. Greer, M. W. Junkins, A. Grafton, T. K. Crosier, George W. Hogue, D. Westlake and N. B. Scott.

It has a membership of 71, and the follow- ing are the officers for 1902: Martin Weller- ton, W. M .; M. J. Schick, S. W .; J. H. Sin- clair, J. W .; A. Schick, treasurer ; J. M. King, secretary ; J. M. Covert, S. D .; J. F. Covert, J. D .: George H. Harris, chaplain; Louis Grant, tyler; J. W. Stewart, senior steward; Peter Kern, junior steward; finance commit- tee,-H. W. Burrows, Charles McCroby and J. G. Crawford.

Bellaire Chapter No. 107, R. A. M., was or- ganized October 17, 1868. Its present mem- bership is 113. The following are the charter members: E. G. Morgan, John Kelley, W. J. Kelley, J. S. Lockwood, J. H. Coleman, N. Venning, J. C. Shimmons, William Greenfield, B. R. Cowen and M. P. Smith.

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 25

Author: McKelvey, A. T., 1844- ed Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: McKelvey, A. T., 1844- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490