USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Columbus, Ohio: its history, resources, and progress : with numerous illustrations > Part 18
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On the first of April, 1871, a large room was rented in Session's block, on the southeast corner of High and Long streets. Here Rev. R. Moffit, of Bedford, Ohio, preached on the first Sunday of April, 1871, and Rev. T. D. Garvin, of Cincinnati, on the fol- lowing Sunday. A call was tendered Mr. Garvin to become the pastor of the church, which he accepted, and entered upon the dis- charge of the duties of that office on the third Sunday of April, 1871. He still remains in the same position.
At a meeting held on the evening of April 22, 1871, at which T. Ewing Miller was chairman, and F. D. Prouty, secretary, T. Ewing Miller was elected treasurer of the church, F. D. Prouty, clerk, and Wm. Wallace and F. D. Prouty, deacons. At a sub- sequent meeting, Wm. Williams and Benj. Styles were also chosen deacons.
The church was incorporated March 20, 1871. The following is an extract from the record of incorporation :
"At a meeting of the congregation or church worshiping at the corner of High and Long streets, in their hall in Sessions' block, held March 7, 1872, the pastor, T. D. Garvin, being chairman, F. D. Prouty was elected clerk of the church for the ensuing year, the following resolution was adopted :
" Resolved, That we incorporate under the name of the Cen- tral Church, known as the Disciples of Christ.
"The following trustees were elected : T. Ewing Miller, for three years ; William Williams, for two years, and James G. Archer, for one year."
About the time of incorporation, a lot was purchased, on the southeast corner of Third and Gay streets, for $5,300. It has a
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front of 623 feet on Third street, and a depth of 123 feet on Gay. On the east end of this lot a temporary church building was erected, being a frame, 25 by 60 feet. T. Ewing Miller, James G. Archer, and F. D. Prouty were the building committee, and Wm. Williams, the builder. The building was opened on the third Sunday of May, 1872, for public worship. It is de- signed as a mere provisional place of worship, until a permanent brick edifice, worth about $20,000, and capable of seating an audience of six or seven hundred, can be erected. A consider- able portion of the requisite funds for such a structure has been already pledged outside the city.
The number of church members enrolled on the 18th of De- cember last, was 105-an increase of 80 since Mr. Garvin began his ministrations. The Sunday-school had, on the first of De- cember last, 154 enrolled members, and an average attendance of 85. The officers of the school were: Benj. Styles, super- intendent; A. G. Tice, assistant superintendent, and Elmon Spencer, secretary.
THE HEBREW TEMPLE.
A score or more of years have passed since the few Israelites then residing in the city met for worship in a private room. Afterward they met in rented halls. About 1852, a congrega- tion was formed, of which Joseph Gundersheimer was president. S. Lazarus, who had previously filled a similar office in Ger- many, acted as minister of the congregation, without compensa- tion. The first salaried minister was Rev. Joseph Goodman, who filled the office for several years, and, at an advanced age, is still a resident of the city. He was succeeded in the minis- terial office by Revs. Weil, Goodman, Lippman, Wetterhan, Schoenberg, and Rosenthal.
The use of rented halls was attended with so much incon- venience and such detriment to the congregation, that the formation of a new congregation and the building of a temple or synagogue were determined upon. Messrs. Nathan and Joseph Gundersheimer constituted themselves a committee with these objects in view, and other Israelites co-operated. The present congregation, under the name of Bne Israel, was formed August
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12, 1868, with nineteen members. A handsome lot was pur- chased on the northwest corner of Friend and Third streets, upon which the temple stands. Five thousand dollars, the price of the lot, was raised by subscription from members of the con- gregation.
Very liberal subscriptions for building the temple were obtained at the East and elsewhere, as well as from citizens of Columbus. Early in 1870, a plan for the new temple was accepted by the congregation, and an energetic building com- mittee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. N. and J. Gunder- sheimer and Jacob Goodman. The contract for the building was awarded to Messrs. Hall & Fornoff.
The corner-stone of the temple was laid with appropriate ceremonies on Sunday afternoon, May 1, 1870-Masons, Odd Fellows, the Columbus Maennerchor, Hebrew societies, and six or seven thousand citizens participating. The stone was laid with the usual Masonic rites. Rev. Isaac Wise, of Cincinnati, delivered a discourse on " Human Dignity." An anthem by the Maennerchor and a benediction closed the exercises.
The congregation extended a call to the Rev. Dr. J. Wechsler, of Nashville, Tennessee, to become their minister. After some hesitation, and, declining a more lucrative position which had been tendered him at Selma, Alabama, Dr. Wechsler accepted the call, and, on the 20th of August, 1870, entered upon the discharge of his duties as minister of the Columbus congrega- tion Bne Israel. A choir was organized under the direction of Professor C. Schoppelrei, which came in a short time to be re- garded as one of the best in the city.
The temple was dedicated on the 16th of September, 1870. From the late synagogue in Walcutt's Hall, where an address had been delivered by Rev. J. Wechsler, a procession of the congregation and invited participants was formed and proceeded to the closed door of the temple. Here the key was presented by Miss Ada Gundersheimer to the chairman of the building committee, Nathan Gundersheimer. The door was then opened, and the procession entered the temple. The three scrolls of the Law were borne by persons appointed to that office, from the right of the altar down the west aisle of the temple, and
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then back in the east aisle to the place of starting. Three circuits were made in this manner accompanied by singing and other ceremonies. The scrolls of the Law were then placed in the ark in the rear of the pulpit. Dr. Wechsler then delivered a discourse, followed by an address by Dr. Wise, of Cincinnati. The rites of the dedication were closed by an invocation read by Dr. Wise, the choir responding seven times with “Amen, Hallelujah."
The Hebrew Temple, erected on the northwest corner of Friend and Third streets, is of the Franco-Italian style of archi- tecture, two stories in height. The entrance at the south end is by three open archways into an open portico, from the center of which admittance is had to the board room, 12 by 18 feet, and the school-room, 18 by 23 feet. The open portico, seven feet wide, extends across the south end of the building. The remainder of this floor is laid off into a conveniently arranged suit of rooms for the residence of the minister. The height of this story is nine feet six inches, the floor being elevated about nine inches above the street pavement. The principal audience- room, 30 by 37 feet, with a height of 23 feet, occupies the second story. This room is reached by two broad stairways, one at each end of the lower portico, the stairs terminating in a vesti- bule of the size of the portico below it; and covered by a gal- lery extending across the south end of the audience-room. Ac- cess to the gallery is had from the vestibule by two pairs of folding doors.
The temple accommodates three hundred worshipers, and is furnished with pews in the ordinary manner. At the north end is a raised platform for the accommodation of the officiating priests, and behind that is the sanctuary-a domed recess within which is the sacred receptacle for the scrolls of the Pentateuch.
The building is surmounted by a steep French roof, which, at the southeast and west angles, is carried up to form two towers with dormer windows, and crowned by a wrought-iron balus- trade. The external wall faces are broken by projecting pilas- ters, affording ample room for the play of light and shade. The foundations are of limestone, and the superstructure of brick, with Amherst stone dressings.
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Rev. Dr. J. Wechsler is still the minister of the congregation and church worshiping in the temple. The choir maintains its efficiency under the direction of Professor Spohr. The present officers of the congregation are : Joseph Gundersheimer, presi- dent ; Lewis Kleeman, vice-president ; A. Steinhauser, secretary ; Lewis I. Kahn, treasurer; Joseph Philipson, warden; L. Laza- rus, M. Kleeman, and Joseph Kahn, trustees.
There is connected with the congregation a school for religious instruction, in which about sixty children receive, during the week, lessons in religion, Biblical history, and the Hebrew lan- guage, under the superintendence of Dr. Wechsler, who is also president of a benevolent society formed of members of the congregation for the relief of every worthy applicant for charity.
CEMETERIES.
GREEN LAWN CEMETERY.
Green Lawn Cemetery Association of Columbus was organized under a general statute, passed in the winter of 1847-48. At a meeting of citizens at the council chamber, on the evening of the 12th of July, 1848, a committee of eleven was appointed, con- sisting of A. P. Stone, A. F. Perry, Joseph Ridgway, Jr., William B. Thrall, John Walton, John Miller, William Kelsey, William B. Hubbard, Joseph Sullivant, Robert W. McCoy, and William A. Platt, charged with the duty of looking for a site and report- ing a plan for the organization of a cemetery association.
At a subsequent meeting of citizens, held on the 2d day of August, 1848, the committee reported articles of association, which were considered, amended, adopted, and signed by a com- petent number to authorize a complete organization.
The first meeting for the purpose of effecting such organiza- tion, was held on the 26th of August, 1848; when William B. Hubbard, Joseph Sullivant, Aaron F. Perry, Thomas Sparrow, Alfred P. Stone, William B. Thrall, and John W. Andrews were elected to constitute the first board of trustees ; Alex. E. Glenn was chosen clerk. Mr. Hubbard was unanimously chosen president of the board.
At a meeting of the board of trustees, held on the first day of February, 1849, Mr. Andrews tendered his resignation as a
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member of the board, and William A. Platt was unanimously chosen to supply the vacancy.
PURCHASE OF GROUNDS .- The grounds originally purchased by the association consisted of about eighty-three acres admirably adapted to the purpose intended. They are situated about two miles and a half southwesterly from the state-house. The greater portion of these grounds were at the time of purchase in a primitive condition, and covered with native forest trees. They consisted of two contiguous tracts of land. One, containing about thirty-nine acres, was purchased of Judge Gershom M. Peters for forty dollars an acre ; the other, including about forty- four acres, was bought of William Miner, for fifty dollars an acre. The cost of the whole was about $3,750.
LAYING OUT THE GROUNDS .- In the summer of 1849, under the superintendence of Howard Daniels, architect and civil en- gineer, tasteful and appropriate improvements were planned and partly executed, laying out the grounds in graceful avenues, convenient walks, numerous lots, and occasional reserves for the comfort of visitors and for future improvement and embel- · lishment. A neat and convenient cottage was erected near the entrance to the grounds for a dwelling for the resident super- intendent. The first person buried in the cemetery was Leo- nora, daughter of Aaron F. Perry, on the 7th of July, 1849, a few days preceding its formal dedication. The second was Dr. B. F. Gard, on the 12th of the same month.
DEDICATION .- The dedication services were held in a beautiful grove, near the center of the grounds, on the 9th of July, 1849, in the presence of a large concourse of people. They were opened with an invocation, by Rev. H. L. Hitchcock, of the Second Presbyterian Church. An original hymn, by Benjamin T. Cushing, was then sung. Then followed the presentation of the title papers to Dr. Hoge, for the purpose of dedication, on be- half of the association, accompanied with appropriate remarks, by W. B. Hubbard. The following is the
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DEDICATION ODE. BY BENJAMIN T. CUSHING, ESQ. " Flow gently, sweet Afton."
Sleep softly, ye greenwoods, with shadowy boughs ; Sleep softly ! disturb not your solemn repose ! For ye bend in your beauty where shortly will wave The flower of affection, reared over the grave!
Ye birds, whose clear anthems swell over the lea- Ye insects, whose pipings come gladsome and free ; Ye winds of young summer, your music must blend With the sighs of the mourner who weeps for his friend ! Ye groves and ye hillocks, how lovely ye lie, Like a vision of beauty-a dream of the sky- Yet here must we follow the loved ones away ; And here must our bodies commingle with clay ! Sleep softly, ye greenwoods, with shadowy boughs ! Sleep softly ! disturb not your solemn repose ! For ye bend in your beauty where shortly will wave, The flower of affection reared over the grave !
The dedicatory address was delivered by Rev. James Hoge, D. D., of the First Presbyterian Church. It was couched in terse, eloquent, and impressive language. After an original hymn, by Mr. Cushing, the concluding prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Brooks, of the M. E. Church, and the benediction pro- nounced by Rev. Nelson Doolittle, of the Universalist Church.
COLORED PERSONS .- In the summer of 1856, the question was mooted as to the propriety of selling lots to colored persons, and thereby admitting them to membership in the association. The trustees caused a circular to be addressed to each member or stockholder, stating the question as to the expediency of setting apart a section of the cemetery grounds for the burial of col- ored persons, and requesting the stockholder to indorse his preference upon the back of the circular, writing over his sig- nature, if favorable to the proposition, the words " in favor," or if unfavorable, the word "opposed," and return it to the office of the trustees by a day named. Of these circulars, three hun- dred and forty were distributed through the post-office, and only one hundred and eleven were returned with the proper indorse- ments. Of these, twenty were "in favor," and ninety-one " op-
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posed." In February, 1872, a section of the grounds was set apart for the use of colored citizens.
ADDITIONAL GROUNDS .- On the 1st of April, 1872, the direct- ors purchased of Samuel Stimmel, thirty-two acres, at $250 per acre, and of John Stimmel, thirty acres, at $175 per acre, mak- ing the cemetery to consist of about one hundred and forty- seven acres, forming nearly a square of ground of a gently un- dulating surface. It is laid out in handsome walks and drives, and ornamented with evergreens, shrubbery, and flowers, with many beautiful monuments and other memorials of departed friends, making it the finest cemetery in Central Ohio.
The officers of the association from its organization to the present time are as follows:
TRUSTEES .- William B. Hubbard, 1848-49 ; Joseph Sullivant, 1848-53, 1855-59; Aaron F. Perry, 1848-49, 1853-55 ; Thomas Sparrow, 1848-65, 1866-71 ; Alfred P. Stone, 1848-55 .; William B. Thrall, 1848-50; John W. Andrews, 1848-49 ; William A. Platt, 1849-74; A. C. Brown, 1850-52; William G. Deshler, 1850-53, 1859-72; Lucien Buttles, 1850-52; H. N. Hubbell, 1852-57; William T. Martin, 1852-66 ; Robert Hume, 1854-64 ; John Greenleaf, 1855-74; William E. Ide, 1857-64, 1865-67 ; James M. Westwater, 1864-68; Oliver P. Hines, 1864-66, 1868-72 ; C. P. L. Butler, 1866-68 ; James S. Abbott, 1867-74 ; William McDonald, 1868-72.
PRESIDENTS .- William B. Hubbard, 1848-49; William B. Thrall, 1849-50 ; Joseph Sullivant, 1850-53, 1855-56 ; Aaron F. Perry, 1854-55 ; William A. Platt, 1856-68; Thomas Sparrow, 1868-71; John Bartlit, 1872-74.
SECRETARIES .- Alexander E. Glenn, 1848-50; Howard Dan- iels, 1850 ; William T. Martin, 1850-66; Joseph Dowdall, 1866-73.
TREASURERS .- Herman M. Hubbard, 1848-50; William A. Platt, 1850; William G. Deshler, 1850-52, 1864-72; Thomas Sparrow, 1852-64; O. P. Hines, 1873.
SUPERINTENDENTS .- Richard Woolley, 1848-59 ; Evan Biddle, 1859-68; Adam Stephens, 1868-73.
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CALVARY CEMETERY (CATHOLIC).
Located on the Harrisburg turnpike, about half a mile beyond the limits of the city. Area, 27 acres. Purchased, in 1865, by the Catholics of Columbus for $3,000. Size of lots, 16 by 20 feet. Anton Witzigman, sexton, residing on the premises.
A year after the cemetery grounds had been purchased by the joint action of the Catholics of Columbus, the Germans of the Holy Cross Church paid the English Catholics three hundred dollars for the choice between the two halves of the tract, and took the north half. Cornelius Lang is secretary, and Henry Theado, treasurer of the German cemetery organization ; and Patrick Egan is secretary and treasurer of the English.
Rev. John W. Brumer was the first Catholic priest whose re- mains were buried in the portion of the grounds set apart as a burial place for the Catholic clergy.
The surface of the cemetery tract is gently rolling, gradually inclining to the east and west. It has been laid out in lots, and most of them have been sold. There have been already erected in the cemetery some plain but very neat marble monuments.
It is true that, considering the time which has elapsed since the cemetery was purchased, very few improvements have been made. It is expected that it will soon be inclosed by a neat and substantial fence, and otherwise improved and ornamented. When these improvements are completed, the ground will be consecrated.
THE HEBREW CEMETERY.
Some twenty years ago, the few Israelites then in the city, who were organized as a congregation for public worship, pur- chased a half-acre lot, to be used as a cemetery, in the eastern part of the city. It is still in use as a cemetery, but as a city or- dinance prohibits interments within the limits of the corpora- tion, another site will doubtless soon be selected by our Hebrew residents for a burying-place.
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THE NORTH GRAVE-YARD.
One acre and a half of the tract of land, afterward known as the "North Grave-yard," was donated by the original pro- prietors of Columbus, July 2, 1813, for a burial ground. John Kerr, one of the proprietors, was authorized to execute the deed of conveyance. That was not done until April 21, 1821, though the lot had been used as a burial place from the time the grant was made. Kerr's deed conveyed to the " Mayor and Council of the Borough of Columbus and their successors in office," the acre and a half of land to be used solely as a public burial ground. In February, 1830, William Doherty conveyed to the borough of Columbus, in fee simple, about eight and one-half acres, partly surrounding and south and east of the original acre and a half. This purchase was made for the enlargement of the burying-ground. John Brickell also, in 1845, added, on the north side of the ground as it was then bounded, a strip of twenty feet in width, which he laid out into seventeen lots, reserving five to himself, and made conveyances direct to the purchasers, giving the city no control whatever over the premises.
These three parcels of land, embracing about ten and a half acres, and surrounded by a board fence, constituted the tract known as the "North Grave-yard." It was, with the exception of the Brickell lots, under the control of the borough or city council, by whom a superintendent was appointed to take care of the grounds and make sale of lots. A portion of the ground was set apart for burial free of charge for the ground used. Another portion was set off for the sale of lots to colored per- sons. It was for many years the principal burying-ground of the city.
The "North Grave-yard " was situated on the west side of High street, about one-eighth of a mile north of the railroad de- pot. As the city was expanding around, and even beyond it, the council, by ordinance, passed July 21, 1856, made it a penal offense to bury in that grave-yard. The ordinance was not to take effect till the 1st of November ensuing, and such was the popular clamor against it that it was repealed before that day arrived.
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On the 30th of May, 1864, the council passed a second prohib- itory ordinance. But for several years before this, no inter- ments had been made in the yard, nor have any been made there since. About the time of the passage of this ordinance, the grounds were fenced in by direction of the superintendent ap- pointed by the council to take care of the premises and preserve them from desecration.
The Columbus, Springfield and Cincinnati, or Short Line Railroad Company, obtained in the Probate Court, January, 1871, the condemnation or appropriation for railroad purposes of a tract one hundred feet in width, off the south end of the graveyard, containing about one acre and one-third. Soon afterward, the railroad commenced preparing the appropriated portion for their use. The bodies buried there were removed and interred in Green Lawn Cemetery, or delivered to surviving friends and relatives.
THE OLD CATHOLIC BURYING-GROUND.
The lot or tract generally known by this name contains three acres and a quarter. It is located in the northeast part of the city, north of Naghten street, and east of Ninth street or Wash- ington avenue. It was conveyed, September 11, 1848, by Peter Ury, to Archbishop Purcell, to be held in trust as a burying- ground for the use of the Catholics of Columbus. The tract had, however, been used for that purpose for two or three years before this conveyance was made.
The city council, by ordinance, in July, 1856, prohibited fur- ther burial in any grave-yard within the corporate limits of the city, as well as in the inclosure commonly known as the North Grave-yard. This ordinance, of course, prohibited interments in the Catholic burying-ground, as it was within the city limits ; but before the day came fixed for its taking effect, the ordinance was repealed. Burials continued to be made in the ground until within a few years past, when a new tract of land was set. apart for a Catholic cemetery.
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THE EAST GRAVE-YARD.
The tract of land known by this name is located on Livings- ton avenue, about a mile and a half east of the court-house. It contains eleven acres and a quarter, and was conveyed to the city of Columbus, in 1839, by Matthew King, in fee simple, with- out conditions or restrictions. It was purchased expressly for a cemetery, and a portion of it was laid out in lots, and sold and conveyed by the city to purchasers. About one-third of it was never laid off into lots, on account of its being low, swampy, and wet. The other part was formerly used as a public bury- ing-place, principally by Germans, but of late years only for the burial of the very poor, the friendless, and public paupers. But it is totally unfit for this, or any use as a cemetery. It is so wet that water frequently more than half fills the newly made graves. It is in a miserably-dilapidated condition ; the fences once inclosing it are decayed or broken down, and the general wretched appearance of the tract is a disgrace to the city. The remains of the buried should be removed, and the place cease to be used as a cemetery at all. It has greatly retarded the growth of the city in that direction. The best use that could be made of it would be to convert it into a public park, in connection with the beautiful grove in the rear of it-the only grove of native forest trees remaining in the eastern portion of the city.
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CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
CHAPTER XI. CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
COLUMBUS FEMALE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
THIS society was orgainzed January 5, 1835, at the old Town Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. John Patterson drew up a constitution, which was presented to the first meeting, and adopted. The number of members was one hundred and seven.
The first officers of the society were : Mrs. James Hoge, pres- ident ; Mrs. E. W. Sehon, vice-president ; Mrs. Noah H. Swayne, treasurer ; Miss M. Kelly (now Mrs. Judge Bates), secretary.
The board of managers consisted of the following ladies : Mrs. Wm. M. Awl, Mrs. Demas Adams, Mrs. Ralph Osborn, Mrs. Moses Jewett, Mrs. Samuel Crosby, Mrs. John Bailhache, Mrs. Benj. Blake, Mrs. Joseph Ridgway, Mrs. D. Woodbury, Mrs. A. Vanhorn.
The first business meeting was held at the house of Mrs. Demas Adams, at which visiting committees were appointed, apportioning the following ladies to each of the three wards, into which the city was then divided :
North Ward-Mrs. George B. Harvey, Mrs. Robert Riordan, Mrs. Joseph Ridgway, Jr., Mrs. General Sterritt, Mrs. J. B. Crist, and Mrs. Sarah Gill.
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