USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > Lancaster > Centennial history of Lancaster, Ohio, and Lancaster people : 1898, the one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the spot where Lancaster stands > Part 13
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Centennial History of Lancaster
lication. The managers were Joshua Clarke, Dr. M. Z. Kreider and George Reber. In the years 1841 and 1842 William Slade, C. F. Garaghty, H. Banning Norton and John D. Martin were secretaries and the Institute was in a flourishing condition.
LANCASTER LATERAL CANAL
This canal, connecting the town with the Ohio Canal at Carroll, was completed in 1834. The event was celebrated on the fourth of July of that year. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Jacob Myers and an oration delivered by Judge William W. Irvin. Flags were presented to the captains of two canal boats by the ladies of Lancaster. One boat was the Hebron and the other was, or soon became, The Henry T. Myers. Miss Maria Wilson, stepdaughter of John Latta and the future wife of Mr. Bull, made one of the speeches. The other was made by Maria Louisa Beecher, the future wife of P. Van Trump. The following named gentlemen, distinguished citizens of Lancaster, com- posed the committee of arrangements: Dr. Robt. McNeill, General Wm. J. Reese, John Brough, the future governor, Dr. M. Z. Kreider, Robt. Wilson, Joshua Clarke, Wm. Medill, the future governor, Judge W. W. Irvin, John M. Creed and Thomas Edingfield.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
On the fourth of July, 1841, there was a union cel- ebration of four Sunday schools. The children as- sembled at the churches to the number of four hun- dred and marched, under the direction of D. Tall- madge, to Coxe's grove.
Rev. Wm. Cox, Rev. Baker of the M. E. Church, and Rev. John Wagenhals were the clergymen present ..
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Wm. Slade, a prominent young lawyer and a Sun- day-school teacher, delivered the oration; Rev. John Wagenhals pronounced the benediction; Dr. Thiel, editor of the Ohio Eagle, also delivered an elaborate and scholarly address.
The Presbyterian Church numbered one hundred and thirty-five scholars and twenty-two teachers, with Wm. Slade as superintendent .; the Methodist Church numbered one hundred and ten scholars and eighteen teachers, with R. O. Claspill as superintendent; the Lutheran Church, eighty scholars and eighteen teach- ers, with Philip Bope as superintendent; the Meth- odist Protestant Church, sixty-five scholars and twelve teachers, with Benjamin Connell as superintendent.
MASONIC
In October, the eighteenth day, 1841, the Masonic Fraternity laid the cornerstone of the projected Ma- sonic temple opposite the Presbyterian Church. There were four hundred Masons present from all parts of the state. Oliver M. Spencer, of Cincinnati, O., delivered the oration. A good foundation was built on the Sutphen corner, but in time the project was abandoned.
COLONEL P. VAN TRUMP
Mr. Van Trump was born in Lancaster November 15, 1810. About that period of his life his father was a tavern-keeper. His parents were poor and his early life was one of hardships and privations. He did as most such boys did, attended the private schools for a few months in the year and worked to obtain the means of support. He worked for Joshua Clarke, drove his ox teams and did his work so well that a friendship was formed that lasted through a long life.
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Before he obtained his majority he entered a printing office and acquired the printer's trade. He then man- aged a small newspaper of his own for one year, when he sold out to the Gazette and became a partner in that concern. As a printer and editor he was a hard- working, energetic young man. From the printing office he entered a law office, studied law and was admitted to the bar. He married Maria Louisa, daughter of General Beecher and sister of Mrs. Henry Stanbery. May 14, 1838, he became the partner of Henry Stanbery, then the brilliant and rising star of the Lancaster bar. His marriage and connection with Stanbery, coupled with his well known talents and integrity, gave him at once a prominent position at the bar and in the society of Lancaster. He was emi- nently a self-made man, a reader of good books, and the possessor of the finest private library in Lancaster. His fine law library was destroyed by fire when the Green Block was burned in 1857. He was a noted politician and a leader of the Whig party in this county. When that party disbanded in 1856 he sup- ported John Bell for the presidency. He had been trained in pro-slavery principles and could not be a Republican, and on the dissolution of the American party it was an easy step into the Democratic party. Before that step was taken, however, he was nomi-
nated by the American party in their convention at Dayton, Ohio, as their candidate for governor. The Democrats hailed his accession to their party with delight, and he was soon talked of as their candidate for common pleas judge. He was nominated for that position, and elected in October, 1862. He served on the bench five years. In the year 1867 he was elected a member of Congress from this district. His services
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as a member of Congress extended to the year 1873, or three terms. He was a member of the board of directors that organized the Starch Company and con- tinued to serve as such during its existence. Colonel Van Trump had many friends in this community and was always a popular citizen. He did not long survive his service in Congress, for he sickened and died at his home July, 1874. His dust reposes with the dust of the Beecher family in the Elmwood Cemetery. Colonel Van Trump was a positive man, honest and sincere, and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of many Lancaster people by whom he was highly esteemed.
DR. ROBERT MCNEILL
Dr. Robert McNeill came to Lancaster when a young man and commenced the practice of his pro- fession in which he became eminent. He was an able physician and always popular, and a Freemason of high degree. So much was he esteemed by his brethren that at his death they erected a handsome monument to his memory. He married Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry Arnold. Dr. McNeill took a prom- inent part in all public affairs at Lancaster. When but forty-four years of age he met with an accident which caused his death December 1, 1835. It is a noteworthy fact that many of the brilliant men of Lancaster died young; and but few can be named who lived beyond the age of seventy years. His wife survived him nearly sixty years and died at the age of ninety-three.
W. J. CARD
W. J. Card was born in Greenfield, New York, January 26, 1862. He was reared upon a farm and educated in the common schools. He married Miss
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Centennial History of Lancaster
Lydia Stone at Nelson, New York, January 27, 1825. In the year 1837 he emigrated to Ohio and settled in Lancaster. His first employment was in the capac- ity of superintendent of the lock masonry work on the Hocking Canal during its construction. During this time he studied surveying and made himself master of the science. He was soon thereafter elected County Surveyor for Fairfield County and served in that capac- ity acceptably for several years. He died in the state of Virginia, April 16, 1876. His son, W. W. Card, is one of the substantial citizens of Pittsburgh, Pa., and was educated in Lancaster, one of his favorite teachers being Wm. Lyon. He was a civil engineer and for years the superintendent of one division of the Pan Handle Railroad.
He became interested in George Westinghouse's brake patent and with him organized a company to manufacture air brakes at Pittsburgh.
Westinghouse is a millionaire and Card is a wealthy man and secretary of the company.
Mr. Card has never severed his connection with his old town and returns occasionally to revive old and sacred memories.
DR. M. Z. KREIDER
Dr. M. Z. Kreider was a splendid man, physically and intellectually. A good physician and surgeon, he was not content - his mind required more active and exciting employment. He dipped into politics, became Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, local preacher, temperance lecturer, manager and owner of a line of stage coaches, and owner of a large drug store. His first store was at No. 66 Main Street, as he advertised it, where the Martens hardware store
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Centennial History of Lancaster
is now located. His last place of business was in the rooms now occupied by his widow as a residence. He was known and recognized everywhere in central and southern Ohio; for, once seen, his face and form could not be forgotten. He was a genial man and in con- versation always entertaining. He was the first Grand Eminent Commander of Knights Templar for Ohio, and Grand Master of the fraternity for the State of Ohio at the time of his death. He was honored with an imposing Masonic funeral, in which eminent offi- cials of the order participated. He delivered a tem- perance lecture in the church at New Salem in 1843. George Stinchcomb, one of the audience, asked a question that required a technical answer as to the effect of stimulants, etc. The next week he received a bill for five dollars. The matter was treated as a bit of humor on the part of the Doctor, and of course the bill was not paid. Dr. Kreider was a Pennsyl- vanian, and lived for a time in Royalton. He came to Lancaster as early as 1832. He was but fifty-two years of age when he died. He was for two years a member of the Ohio Legislature.
NELSON SMITH
Nelson Smith was probably the most noted colored man who ever lived in Lancaster. He was the favorite of the men of the old school, who knew how to appre- ciate faithful and intelligent service. He was always proud of the fact that he was chosen by Mr. Ewing to care for Daniel Webster during his two weeks' visit here in 1833. He left a family of sons and daugh- ters who, like their father, have the confidence and patronage of the people.
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MISCELLANEOUS
In August, 1853, the Cincinnati, Wilmington & Zanesville Railroad was completed to Lancaster.
In 1867, the Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad was completed from Columbus to Athens. These two railroads placed Lancaster in communication with the outside world and afforded facilities for freight and travel to all points of the compass.
In the year 1855 the Lancaster Gas Works were built and the streets, business houses and dwellings lighted by gas.
In 1877 the present system of Water Works was established and is owned by the city.
On the first day of February, 1887, natural gas was discovered in Lancaster. E. L. Slocum was the first to agitate the formation of a company to bore for gas, and to him is due the chief credit of the discovery. The plant is owned by the city. Gas is found in abund- ance and it is furnished to the citizens at a reasonable rate.
An electric light plant, owned by a company, fur- nishes light for the streets of the city and many busi- ness houses. Geo. Matt is the principal owner of both gas and electric light plant.
The improvements sketched bring us down to about the year 1880, another period of forty years.
Lancaster had grown and prospered and the popu- lation numbered six thousand eight hundred and three. The men who made Lancaster famous had all passed to their long home, save General and John Sherman, and a new generation had taken their place.
The discovery of natural gas gave the town quite
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a little boom and some two hundred new buildings have been erected. The population has increased and now numbers eight thousand.
Dr. M. Effinger, Dr. P. M. Wagenhals, and Dr. O. E. Davis practiced medicine in Lancaster prior to the year 1870. They were able physicians and genial, warm-hearted men. They are numbered with the dead, but live in the hearts of hosts of friends who keep their memory green.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Lancaster was organized about the year 1812. There had been a small class a few years prior to this, but it had not assumed the form of an organization. Bishop Asbury had preached in one of the school-houses and in the Court House in 1809.
James Quinn, Jesse Stoneman, and Asa Shinn had preached to the early settlers from time to time. Jacob D. Deitrick and wife, Peter Reber and wife, Thos. Orr and wife, Christian Weaver and wife, George Canode and wife, and Mrs. Wm. B. Peck were the original members. The wives of the four men named were sisters and daughters of Frederick Arnold, a farmer who lived north of the town. They were sisters of Henry Arnold, long a merchant of Lancaster.
In the year 1816 a substantial frame house of wor- ship was built, in which the congregation met for twen- ty-six years. Mrs. Wm. B. Peck was the largest con- tributor to this new house. In 1820 Lancaster was made a station and Rev. Thomas A. Morris, afterwards a bishop, was the first settled pastor.
At this time the congregation numbered sixty-five members. It did not long remain a station, as the
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Radical excitement distracted and partly disrupted the congregation. The effect was to cause the station to be abolished. In 1830 the church had so far recov- ered from the Radical disruption, that Lancaster was made a half station, and this continued until 1839, when the charge again became a station.
In the year 1839 a new, commodious, substantial and handsome house of worship was dedicated, and it is still a handsome edifice. The new church building was dedicated by the Rev. Joseph M. Trimble, a son of Hon. Allen Trimble, once governor of Ohio, and a very distinguished divine.
In 1816 John McMehan was one of the regular preachers at Lancaster. He was an eloquent and pop- ular preacher. He and a Universalist, named Streeter, held a public discussion in the court-house, which at- tracted much attention. On McMehan's next round, after preaching to a large audience in the court-house, he was met at the door by a certain Colonel and in- sulted. Dr. Smith, who witnessed it, exclaimed, "Smite him, Johnny, in the name of God, for he richly deserves it!" McMehan collared him, but did not strike.
Jacob Young, a pioneer preacher, who was presid- ing elder at the time, states that this incident occurred in the year 1818. At that time the Methodists had a house of worship, and it is possible that father Young is in error. Other authorities state that McMehan was here in 1816, before the church was built, hence the reason for preaching in the court-house. James Quinn was his associate, and preached the first sermon in the new church, then not entirely finished. This was in the year 1816, according to the best authorities.
The new church building was not built by contract,
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but the construction was superintended by James Her- man. Laurence Hyle worked upon it and in that way paid a twenty-five dollar subscription.
The Radical or Methodist Protestant movement em- barrassed this Church for a time. The leading or- ganizers of that movement were Benjamin Connell, John Arney, George Hood, W. B. Pearce, and Salmon Shaw. This society died with its founders and the survivors returned to the M. E. Church.
During the eighty-five years of the existence of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Lancaster, its pulpit has been filled by many distinguished and able men, inen who were able and eloquent at the time or be- came such in future years. James Quinn, John Mc- Mehan, Thos. A. Morris, afterwards Bishop, Joseph M. Trimble, W. P. Strickland, R. S. Foster, afterwards Bishop, Granville Moody, and C. A. Van Anda were the most prominent. Bishop Merrill when on the Royalton circuit lived in Lancaster. He is perhaps the ablest divine who ever preached to a Lancaster audience.
Many of the best men and women of Lancaster were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Charles Babb's family were Methodists, and the first to settle in Lancaster in 1802.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The father of the Presbyterian Church in Lancaster was the Rev. John Wright. He came here from west- ern Pennsylvania by way of Kentucky, in the year 1801, as a missionary. He did not remain long, going again to Kentucky, but in a year or two returned to Lancaster and made it his home until the year 1835, when he removed to Indiana. He preached in the cab-
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Centennial History of Lancaster
ins until the Court House was built in 1807, when that became their house of worship and so remained until the year 1823. In this year a one-story brick church building was erected on the spot now occupied by S. J. Wright as a residence. At this time the families of Work, Sturgeon, Maccracken, Sherman, Foster, and Wilson were the prominent members.
In the year 1833 a larger and more imposing house of worship was built, just south of the old church. The architect was Isaac Church; the carpenter, James A. Weakley. At this time the membership was about two hundred. Rev. Wm. Cox succeeded Rev. Wright and for fifteen years was a very popular and useful preacher, and universally liked. One of his daughters was the wife of General Thos. Ewing, another the wife of Colonel J. M. Connell. Other prominent pastors were the Reverends Lowry, Galbraith, Fullerton, and Boyd.
In 1892 a handsome modern-styled church building was erected in place of the old, which had been re- moved, Isaiah Vorys, Jr., being the contractor. Rev. John Gourley is the present pastor. This society is one of the time-honored institutions of Lancaster; the only church that can trace its history back to the first settlement of the town.
Rev. James Quinn, the Methodist missionary, was the first to penetrate the wilderness and preach the Gospel, but was not the first to establish a church in Lancaster. Thomas Sturgeon, now eighty-nine years of age, and Mrs. W. J. Reese, now eight-five years of age, when infants, were baptized by the Rev John Wright.
"My mother's children were all baptized by Rev. John Wright." - Jno. Sherman's Autobiography.
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Centennial History of Lancaster
May 6, 1822, the trustees of the Presbyterian Church contracted with Christian Weaver and Jas. A. Weakley to build a one-story brick church building, to be com- pleted by June 1, 1823, for the sum of sixteen hundred dollars, the church to be fifty feet in length, thirty feet in width, and sixteen feet in height. Twelve hundred dollars was at that time subscribed.
The trustees who signed this contract were Samuel F. Maccracken, Joseph Work, and David Ewing. The contract was witnessed by H. Weed and Mrs. S. F. Maccracken. Robt. Wilson furnished one thousand nine hundred and eighty-four feet of lumber for twenty- two dollars; two thousand feet of lath for eight dollars and forty cents. Here follows the subscription list.
J. Wilson, in work. $30 00
F. A. Shaeffer, half cash and half tailoring 10 00
John Beers, in hauling 3 00
W. Sumner, half cash and half hauling materials. 25 00
Geo. Shockley, in joiner work. 6 00
M. Garaghty 5 00
Joseph Young, in trade. 20 00
Samuel Blaisdel, in blacksmithing. 10 00
Isaac Church, in joiner work. 5 00
Tole McManamy, in brick laying. 8 00
H. B. Joy, in beef. 5 00
John Stallsmith, in one pair of shoes
2 25
John Matlack, saddler's work. 10 00
Jacob Embich, in trade. 5 00
Abraham Younkin, in tailoring 10 00
John Armstrong, brick laying. 10 00 Wm. Martin, in work. 10 00
John Smith, in hauling. 20 00
Samuel Carpenter, in hauling timber
10 00
W. W. Irvin, in something. 50 00
Jacob Green & Co., in brick or sawing. 50 00
Christopher Weaver, in joiner work .. 15 00
Henry Johns, in work. 5 00
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Centennial History of Lancaster
Hunter & Eddingfield, in work. $10 00
Wm. Hunter, in work 5 00
J. A. Smith 5 00
P. Beecher 100 00
S. F. Maccracken
150 00
Thos. Ewing, one-half in cash, the other in hauling ..
100 00
Joseph Work, half cash and half produce
50 00
Thomas Fricker, in hats 5 00
Jas. Reed, in materials
5 00
H. Murray
5 00
William Trimble, in produce
50 00
John Martin, in trade.
5 00
H. Drum
5 00
Robt. McLain, in hauling.
3 00
Joseph Grubb, in turning
5 00
F. A. Foster 25 00
Hugh Boyle 5 00
Samuel Rodgers 10 00
George Sanderson, half cash, half materials 20 00
Henry Sutzen, half cash and half trade 10 00
John Noble 10 00
Peter Reber, in 10,000 brick. 50 00
David Reese, in trade 5 00
50 00
John Hunter, in shingles 10 00
J. A. Weakley, in work.
20 00
Dexter Johnson, in produce.
10 00
Thomas Carlisle, in trade.
5 00
Thomas B. Cox, all the sand and stone required.
25 00
Wm. Cox, half cash and half hauling 50 00
E. Scofield 50 00
25 00
Robert Cisne, in work. 5 00
T. Ewing
25 00
Jacob Shaeffer, one man's saddle.
15 00
Samuel Herr, in work.
5 00
Robt. Wilson, in lumber.
25 00
Jas. McCleery, in lumber
5 00
John Myers, in 500 shingles 2 50
Christian King
50 00
David Ewing, half cash and half produce.
John Latta
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Centennial History of Lancaster
Frederick Wagoner, in tailoring $8 00
Samuel Effinger 30 00
Wm. Napton, in trade. 10 00
Thos. Propeck, in produce . 10 00
G. Steinman, in. due bills or trade. 15 00
Christian Rokohl
10 00
It must be understood that the contractors agreed to take the work, materials, produce, and trade sub- scribed. This list of subscribers is valuable and in- teresting, as it shows the citizens who lived in Lan- caster and the neighborhood at that time who were able to contribute to a public enterprise or church in that early day. It is not an index to the congregation, for they were not all Presbyterians or church members. We find in the list one Universalist, nine of the most prominent Lutherans of the town, two Baptists, three leading Methodists, and four very prominent Catholics.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
The Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized about December 15, 1816. At that time Rev. Michael J. Steck, of Greensburg, Pa., came to Lancaster and gathered around him the pioneers of Lancaster of that faith, and began preaching in the courthouse, then the house of worship for all denominations. The Rev. Foster, who resided in Perry County, Ohio, had preached here frequently for several years as a mis- sionary. The prominent Lutherans, who had kept the faith under the preaching of Foster and formed the organization of the Church under Rev. Steck, were Jacob Beck, Sr., Christian Rokohl, Edward Shaeffer, John Herman, Geo. Beck, Sr., Christian King, Jacob Shaeffer, and Gottlieb Steinman. They were men of character and influence and the Church they founded
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Centennial History of Lancaster
grew and prospered. Jacob Beck, Sr., donated the lot upon which the first church edifice was built.
The Rev. Steck was a faithful minister and soon gathered about him a large congregation. Having se- cured the ground, he soon had the funds raised for the erection of a new church building. In this work he was ably assisted by the pioneers named above. The new church was ready for the corner-stone in August, 1819, as the following card, cut from the Ohio Eagle, will show.
LUTHERAN CHURCH
All lovers of Christianity, who take pleasure in seeing the Church of Christ flourish, are hereby invited to attend the solemn ceremony of laying the corner-stone of a church to be erected by the German Lutheran congregation in Lancas- ter, on Wednesday, August 11, 1819.
JACOB SHAEFFER, GOTTLIEB STEINMAN, CHRISTIAN KING, JACOB BECK, SR.
From Ohio Eagle of August, 1819.
Rev. M. J. Steck severed his connection with this church in the year 1829 and returned to Pennsylvania. Rev. John Wagenhals succeeded him and continued as pastor until 1854. Rev. Christian Spielman was pas- tor from 1860 to 1864, and was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Mechling, the present pastor.
The first building was burned down in 1846, and was replaced by a good structure. In recent years this was abandoned and a fine new church building erected on the corner of Broad and Mulberry Streets. Rev. Mechling preaches to large congregations. The ven- erable Jacob Beck, of Hocking Township, was for many years a leading and useful member of this society.
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Centennial History of Lancaster
ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH
This Church was organized in 1843, and worshiped for three years in St. Peters. In the year 1846 St. Peter's building was destroyed by fire. The English branch in that year built a new and handsome house of worship on Columbus Street. This building was greatly improved in the year 1892. The Rev. John McCron was the first pastor.
Rev. Samuel Sprecher and Rev. J. B. Helwig, former pastors, became somewhat distinguished as divines. For more than twenty years Rev. G. W. Halderman served this congregation as pastor, and continues to sustain that relation. In these years he has endeared himself to the people of his charge and to the citizens of Lancaster generally, by whom he is held in high esteem.
The early members of the Church, with but few ex- ceptions, have gone to their reward.
The membership is now about two hundred and seventy-five.
GRACE REFORMED CHURCH
This Church was organized in the year 1816 by Rev. George Wise. He had spent a part of the previous year as a missionary in Fairfield County and frequently preached in the courthouse.
The new society numbered about twenty members. About the year 1818 Rev. Wise began to preach to his congregation regularly in a new schoolhouse on Co- lumbus Street. The house is still standing and is now used as a residence (No. 317 S. Columbus Street). In 1832 Wise's congregation purchased the schoolhouse and, after some changes, dedicated it as a house of worship. The synod met here in 1838 and Rev. Geo.
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