USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part One > Part 32
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mon), Oniska (Mrs. A. C. Reichelderfer), Samuel and Lewis. Mrs. Marmon is the only one of these living. Dr. Sanford died in the summer of 1904.
Dr. Robert W. Thrift was for many years one of the prominent physicians of Allen. County. He was born in Fairfax County, .. Virginia, February 1, 1823. His father,, James Thrift, whose ancestors were from the. North of Ireland, was a farmer in moderate circumstances. His mother, whose maiden name was Sina Ball, was descended from an English family of that name. His father and uncle were in the land service of the War of; 1812. As there were no public schools in Vir -- ginia at that time, young Robert was educated at a private and select school. At the age of 21 he removed to Muskingum County, Ohio,. and began the study of medicine under Drs .. Bealmere and Ball. In 1847 he moved to, Kalida, Ohio, where he practiced his profes- sion for 13 years. During 1851-52 he at- tended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, graduating in 1852. At the break- ing out of the Rebellion, though a native of Virginia, he immediately responded to the call. of the Federal government and was appointed to a captaincy. When surgeons were called for, however, he offered his services, was ex- amined and accepted, and then resigned his captaincy, May 3, 1861, to enter the United States Army as a surgeon, continuing as such until September, 1864. During this period he- filled the position of surgeon-in-chief of the Second Division, 20th Army Corps; Third Di- vision, Fourth Army Corps, and medical direc- tor of the general hospital at Danville, Ken- tucky. Returning to Kalida in 1856, he re- sumed his profession, and remained there two. years. In February, 1867, he removed to Lima. In 1876 he was elected to the chair of diseases of women and children in the Fort Wayne Medical College, Fort Wayne, Indi- ana. In July, 1877, he was appointed United States examining surgeon for pensions and was president of the Lima board. On May 1, 1854, the Doctor was married to Angerona Rice, daughter of Clark H. and Catharine Rice, of Kalida, and a sister of Gen. A. V.
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Rice, who represented the Fifth Ohio Dis- trict in Congress, 1875-79. Dr. Thrift's fam- ily consisted of three daughters and one son : Flora R., Kate R., Robert W., Jr., and Julia Mabel. Dr. Thrift died in Lima in 1893.
Dr. Newton Sager was one of the pioneer physicians of LaFayette, Ohio, as well as a prominent politician and one who took an act- ive part in all public enterprises, especially those for the advancement of educational privi- leges. His early life was spent upon a farm, receiving the foundation of his subsequent education in the common schools. When 19 years of age, he entered Oxford University, where he received a literary education. He afterwards read medicine in Pleasant Valley, Madison County, Ohio, and graduated from the old Jefferson Medical University in 1843. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in LaFayette, Jackson town- ship, this county. At an early date his rides extended many miles, the first settlements be- ing scarce and practitioners correspondingly so. With the increase of population the call for his services also advanced and for months at a time he prescribed for as many as 40 or 50 patients a day, and could not possibly visit them oftener than once in two days. At times it was quite difficult to obtain supplies. This being a malarious district, and the supply at one time both in Lima and Kenton having been exhaust- ed, the Doctor was obliged to go to Piqua to make his purchases of medicines. As the de- mand for new remedies and drugs increased, his stock eventually developed into a drug- store, which he managed for several years in connection with his professional duties. He several times served as township treasurer and was a leader of the Democratic party in his sec- tion. He was also liberal in the support of re- ligious institutions, though he was not identified with any denomination. He joined the Ma- sonic order at Lima, soon after the organiza- tion of the lodge at that place, and was a charter member of Sager Lodge at LaFayette, Ohio, which lodge he was instrumental in having es- tablished, and which was named in his honor. The Doctor came to this county a widower. hay- ing been previousely married to Hannah Cus-
tard, daughter of Daniel Custard, of Lima. Mrs. Sager died in 1840, leaving a daughter, Arane- ta, since deceased. The Doctor was married, on the second occasion, to Bethia Gilbert, of Ver- mont, born in 1824. This union was blessed with six children, who grew to maturity, namely: Newton, Jr., Norval, Annetta, Lo- vina, Norton and Mary Bell. Perhaps no man did more for the development of the eastern section of Allen County than Dr. Sager, and to his efforts was due the locating, in a direct line, of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway from Upper Sandusky to Lima.
Dr. C. A. Evans was born at Hillsboro, Ohio, July 29, 1828. He came of a family which furnished a fair share of medical talent in the West. On the paternal side, his ances- tors came to this country about 1775, located in Kentucky and removed to Ohio about 1802. On the maternal side, the Duckwalls came from the Rhine provinces in connection with Methodist mission work there, early in the 18th century. The subject of this sketch began the study of medicine at 19 years of age, and at 22 graduated from the Ohio Medical College, Cin- cinnati, in the class of 1849-50. In June of 1850, he came to Delphos, where for many years he was identified with the practice of medicine. He was married on April 4, 1855, in Columbia City, Indiana, to Katie Ensler, a highly-educated lady and an ardent worker in church and social interests. Upon the or- ganization of the Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway Company, Dr. Evans took up railway work with that corporation, with which he was actively identified till it ceased to be a Delphos enterprise. He organized the Delphos & Kokomo Railway Company and re- mained its president till 1878. In the follow- ing year he organized the Cleveland, Delphos & St. Louis Railway Company, serving as president till 1881, when he resigned and ac- cepted the vice-presidency of a construction company and was connected with the estab- lishment of other lines. The Doctor served the city as mayor four successive terms, and filled other civic official positions.
Dr. P. H. Brooks was born near Oxford, Butler County, Ohio, February 7. 1845. He
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received a collegiate classical course at the Miami University, graduating in the class of 1868. His brother Robert was his preceptor in the study of medicine and after two courses of lectures at the Miami Medical College, Cin- cinnati, he began the practice of his profession at Paddy's Run, Butler County, Ohio, in 1872. In 1877 he came to Lima, where for a number of years he was one of the leading physicians. He was a member of the Northwestern Medical Society and was widely known and highly re- spected. He died in 1899.
Dr. Brice Blair was born June 22, 1813, in Pennsylvania. He read medicine with Dr. McPherson, of Tuscarawas County, having come to Ohio in 1835. He practiced near New Albany till 1854, when he came to Allen County and settled in Jackson township, where he bought 60 acres of land. He owned 240 acres in Auglaize township and 160 in Stark County, Indiana. Dr. Blair was a wideawake, active, industrious, enterprising man, a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and a great worker in the Sunday-school. The fol- lowing children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Blair : John; Edward; Martin, who died in 1876; Nathan P .; Brice, Jr .; William F .; James H. deceased; Nancy, who married Isaac Hefner; Clara, wife of Harrison Hef- ner ; Jennie, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Me- dill Fisher; Mary, wife of David Applas; and Jessie Allen, deceased. Dr. Blair died March 10, 1876.
Dr. John Davis was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 31, 1837. He came to Gomer in 1854 and at the age of 22 began the study of medicine with Dr. R. E. Jones. Later he at- tended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was graduated from the medical college in 1863. Returning to Gomer he en- tered into partnership with Dr. Jones, their friendship, like that of David and Jonathan, remaining until death claimed Dr. Davis, De- cember 3, 1904. A friend gives the following estimate of him as a man: "In most communi- ties are found those who tower above their fellows, in stature sometimes, oftener by virtue of position, ability and influence. Such was the late Dr. John Davis. He was a man of
fine physique, of commanding appearance, moving with the bearing and tread of a gen- eral; dignified and stern somewhat to the casual observer, but most courteous and af- fable on nearer acquaintance. A practicing physician in the same place for over 40 years, what a mighty influence he exerted in a thickly settled community and within a radius of eight or ten miles! Next to his chosen pro- fession he was pre-eminently a musician. As choir master and leader of congregational sing- ing for 15 years, he threw his whole soul into the work, believing that the ministry of music is not an entertainment merely, but a means of grace to further deepen the impression made by the minister's words. He was thoroughly conversant in literature, his well selected and used library indicating the trend of his mind. A master of Welsh and English, he was much sought as literary adjudicator in Eisteddfods, his work always showing him a critic of no ordinary ability." December 12, 1895, Dr. Davis was married to Mary Griffith, of Cin- cinnati. Mrs. Davis being a musician, she not only efficiently seconded all her husband's ef- forts in that line, but was in hearty sympathy with all of his professional and social labors. After a most impressive funeral, those who ·loved him laid him to rest in Tawelfan ceme- tery.
PHYSICIANS OF TODAY.
Lima .-
Dr. G. A. Bachmeyer graduated from Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1888 and has practiced in Lima since 1901.
Dr. Fred L. Bates graduated in 1889 from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Sur- gery. He has practiced in Lima since that date.
Dr. A. J. Bice graduated from the Ken- tucky School of Medicine, Louisville, in 1896 and has had 10 years of practice in Lima.
Dr. W. N. Boyer graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Chicago, in ISSI and has had 10 years of prac- tice in Lima.
Dr. R. A. Buchanan graduated from the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College in 1901 and has practiced for five years in Lima.
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Dr. Charles Collins graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1894 and has practiced in Lima since 1896.
Dr. S. S. Hermann graduated from the medical department of the University of Buf- falo in 1884 and has practiced in Lima since 1886.
Dr. Burt Hibbard is a graduate of the Uni- versity of Buffalo (class of 1900) and has practiced in Lima for two years.
Dr. T. M. Johnson is a graduate of the Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Chicago, in 1884, and has practiced in Lima since that date.
Dr. R. D. Kahle graduated from the Uni- versity of the City of New York in 1884 and has practiced in Lima 18 years.
Dr. L. F. Laudick graduated from the Medical College of Ohio (now the medical de- partment of the University of Cincinnati) in 1890 and began practicing in Lima in the same year.
Dr. A. L. Jones is a graduate of the Fort Wayne Medical College in the class of 1897 and has practiced nine years in Lima.
Dr. J. J. Murphy graduated from the med- ical department of the University of Michigan in the class of 1881 and began practicing at once in Lima.
Dr. W. H. Parent is a graduate of Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in the class of 1888 and has practiced in Lima nine years.
Dr. T. R. Thomas graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1899, and has practiced about six years in Lima.
Dr. J. M. Patterson graduated from the Medical College of Ohio, Cincinnati, in 1902 and began practicing in Lima in 1904.
Dr. S. B. Hiner graduated in 1864 from the Medical College of Ohio, Cincinnati.
Dr. W. E. Hover graduated from the Med- ical College of Ohio, Cincinnati, in 1888.
Dr. J. H. Huntley graduated in 1890 from Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio.
Dr. Allen F. Knisely graduated in 1884 from the Medical College of Ohio, Cincinnati.
Dr. Jonathan F. Mathews graduated in 1898 from Starling Medical College, Colum- bus, Ohio.
Dr. A. Miesse graduated in 1871 from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery.
Dr. Shelby Mumaugh graduated in 1888 from the Medical College of Ohio, Cincinnati.
Dr. J. C. Pence graduated in 1887 from the Fort Wayne Medical College.
Dr. A. S. Rudy graduated in 1884 from the Medical College of Ohio, Cincinnati.
Dr. D. W. Steiner graduated in 1883 from the medical department of the University of Michigan.
Dr. Oliver Steiner graduated from the med- ical department of the University of Michigan in 1901.
Dr. Isaac F. Steiner graduated from the medical department of the University of Michi- gan in 1897.
Dr. F. G. Steuber graduated in 1882 from Rush Medical College, Chicago.
Dr. Thompson R. Terwilleger graduated from the Medical College of Ohio, Cincinnati, in 1887.
Dr. J. B. Vail graduated in 1871 from the Medical College of Ohio, Cincinnati.
Dr. William B. Van Note graduated in 1895 from the Medical College of Ohio, Cin- cinnati.
Dr. E. G. Weadock graduated from the medical department of the University of Michi- gan.
Dr. Charles L. Yakey graduated from the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College.
Dr. H. C. Bennett graduated from the Uni- versity of Michigan in 1888 and from the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1889.
Dr. Enos G. Burton graduated from the Medical College of Ohio, Cincinnati, in 1871.
Dr. Justin S. Derbyshire graduated in 1888 from the Medical College of Ohio, Cincin- nati.
Dr. Ross V. Dickey graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati.
Dr. Thomas E. Williams is a graduate of the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College and of the Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- pia (class of 1905).
Dr. A. H. Creps graduated in the class of 1890 from the Medical College of Ohio, Cin- cinnati.
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Dr. Charles Albright is a graduate of Star- ling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio.
Gomer .-
Dr. Robert E. Jones graduated in 1856 from the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati. Dr. Oval S. Roebuck graduated in 1905 from the University of Kentucky, Louisville. Dr. Milton L. Johnston graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati.
. Dr. Archibald C. Adams graduated in 1890 from the medical department of the University of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio.
Dr. Newton J. Sager graduated in 1871 from the medical department of the University of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio.
Harrod .-
Dr. Clay H. Hart.
Spencerville .-
Dr. Leroy Pence graduated from the Med- ical College of Ohio, Cincinnati, in 1882.
Dr. William Roush graduated in 1891 from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Sur- gery.
Dr. Jacob R. Welch graduated in 1882 from the Fort Wayne Medical College.
Dr. I. C. Stanyer.
West Cairo .-
Dr. George W. Henderson graduated from Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1892.
Dr. Charles E. Stadler graduated in 1896 from the Eclectic Medical Institute; Cincin- nati.
West Newton .-
Dr. Monroe Davison graduated in 1882 from the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincin- nati, and in 1891 from the Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio.
Beaver Dam .-
Dr. Thomas P. Goodwin.
Dr. John B. Haines graduated in 1879 from the Fort Wayne Medical College.
Bluffton .-
Dr. Reverdy E. Hughson graduated in 1896 from the medical department of McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Dr. J. F. Rudy graduated in 1892 from Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio.
Dr. Josiah S. Steiner graduated in 1898 from the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical Col- lege.
Dr. John J. Sutter graduated in 1898 from the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati.
Dr. Ira R. Wetherill graduated in 1881 from the Maryland College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore.
Dr. John Wisely graduated the Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical College, Chicago, in 1887.
Elida .-
Dr. Salathiel A. Hitchcock graduated in 1870 from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery.
Dr. Robert C. Alexander graduated from the Physicians and Surgeons' College at Keo- kuk, Iowa, in 1883.
Dr. Albert H. Herr graduated in 1903 from Starling Medical College, Columbus.
DENTISTS OF LIMA.
The following are the names of the dental practitioners in Lima: J. K. Bannister & Company, E. F. Barrington, A. N. Bruzelius, A. & J. W. Dimond, J. E. Evans, T. W. For- shee, A. B. Gray, G. H. Trum, Abner Jones, B. A. Long. R. W. Stephens, W. W. Strayer, D. H. Sullivan, J. W. Taylor and George Hall.
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CHAPTER XIV
THE CHURCHES AND MINISTERS OF LIMA
Presbyterian Churches-Methodist Churches-The Pioneer Camp-Meetings-Baptist
Churches - Catholic Churches -- Lutheran Churches-Reformed Churches-Church of Christ -- Christ Protestant Episcopal Church-First United Brethren Church-Congre- gational Churches-First-Christian Church-Miscellaneous Churches and Missions- Biographies of Revs. T. P. Johnston, R. J. Thomson, T. L. Wiltsee, J. M. Avann, C. M. Rupe, F. J. Henry, A. E. Manning, Carl Ackerman, F. P. Bossart, P. H. Land, E. E. Young, G. H. Sims and I. J. Swanson.
In the early days of the church in Ohio, almost all of the preaching was done by mis- sionaries and circuit riders. These two classes included many odd characters and number- less are the good stories told of them, and though a great many of these itinerant preach- ers were "called" for no obvious reason ex- cept their great earnestness, which supplied to a degree the education and address which many of them lacked, yet it cannot be denied that many were possessed of learning and wis- dom and were men of real worth and great- ness.
1
CHURCHES OF LIMA. PRESBYTERIAN.
Market Street Presbyterian Church .- The first Presbyterian Church of Lima was or- ganized August 1, 1833, by Rev. Thomas Clark and Rev. James Cunningham, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Beatty, Mr. and Mrs. John Ward, Mr. and Mrs. John Jameson and Crain Valentine. John Jameson and Alexander Beatty were chosen elders.
In 1834 a brick church was built on West Elm street which was used till 1845, when
a frame building was erected at the corner of Elizabeth and Spring streets, which is now known as the A. M. E. Church. In February, 1855, 13 members withdrew from the church and a second Presbyterian Church called the "New School" was organized by a committee of the Dayton Presbytery. They built a small chapel on West street.
Under Rev. T. P. Johnston, by action of the Findlay Presbytery, a third Presbyterian society was organized, separating from the First Church and taking the name of Central Presbyterian Church. It consisted of 54 mem- bers. They built a brick church on Main street north of High.
In 1869 the "New School" church united with the First Church and the name "Union Presbyterian" was adopted. Parts of the former eldership of each church were chosen to constitute the new session. On September 4, 1872, the Central Church joined the Union Presbyterian, making the Presbyterians of Lima again one body under the name of Lima Presbyterian Church. The present house of worship on the corner of Market and West streets was erected about 1880. The pastors since the first organization have been : George
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Sheldon, George A. Poague, William Mc- Gookin, J. M. Crabb, John McKenney, R. M. Bedeau, Henry B. Fry, Thomas P. Johnston. William Marshall, Samuel Ramsay, O. M. Todd, William Claybaugh, John Daniels, J. S. Kemper, I. G. Hall and R. J. Thomson, D. D. (deceased in November, 1905).
Main Street Presbyterian Church .- This church was organized by direction of the Lima Presbytery, June 12, 1875, by a committee composed of Rev. Thomas Elcock, Rev. J. B. Strain and Elder John Dobbins, with 24 mem- bers, of whom Thomas W. Dobbins, Mrs. Nancy Hover, Mrs. Eliza Williams, Mrs. Ida Breese and Mrs. Alma Hover-Ford are still on the congregation roll. The ruling elders were: J. W. Waters, James Harper and John Cunningham. The trustees were: J. A. Hover, Thomas Dobbins and Joshua Jameson.
In the summer of 1878 a house of worship was built on Pearl street east of the D. & M. Railroad. Rev. Z. B. Campbell was pastor and at this time a Sabbath-school was orga- nized. The second location was in Irwin's storeroom at the southwest corner of Main and Vine streets to which place they moved in the spring of 1883. The present church edifice was dedicated on January 27, 1884. The following pastors have served: A. T. Robertson, 1883-86; H. M. Bradley, 1886-88; B. J. Brown, 1889-92; W. G. Smith, 1893- 1902. The church was organized under the name of Presbyterian Mission Church. This was changed September 11, 1886, by the presbytery to Main Street Presbyterian Church.
At a congregational meeting, January 28, 1904, the trustees were authorized to purchase the property at the corner of Elizabeth and Kibby streets with a view of erecting a new church edifice. At the same meeting the trus- tees were authorized to sell the old manse prop- erty and proceed to erect a new parsonage on the north end of the new lot. This was com- pleted during the past year, being ready for oc- cupancy April 1, 1905. It is a modern struc- ture of eight rooms built of pressed brick veneer. The building committee was composed of A. Mullen, Cyrus Hover, J. B. Young, Ira
L. Shaffer, Dr. R. A. Buchanan, H. D. Zur- mehily, J. O. Kelly, W. E. Hess and W. M. Carey.
METHODIST.
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first Methodist Episcopal class in Lima was organized in October, 1833, by John Alexander and James W. Finley, mission- aries of the St. Marys mission. Rev. Jesse Pryor came from St. Marys to conduct the first services, which were held in the old Court House. Mr. Pryor is also recorded as per- forming the first marriage ceremony in Lima, between James Saxon and Miss Jones, a sis- ter-in-law of John Mark. About 1837 a Methodist frame church was built at the rear of the lot on the southwest corner of Union and Market streets. In 1852 a larger build- ing was erected on the front of the lot and was used as a place of worship till 1871, when the present brick edifice was erected on the corner of Market and Elizabeth streets. This build- ing with its appurtenances cost $50,000, and is of the Gothic style of architecture.
Rev. William Raper, presiding elder, with Revs. James Finley and John Alexander held the first quarterly conference. The church was dedicated March 12, 1876, by Bishop Foster. These pastors have since served : Revs. A. Harmount, S. K. Hard, S. Moore, J. M. Holmes, J. K. Wykes, S. H. Alderman, J. M. Moore, W. Winters, O. Kennedy, I. R. Henderson, L. C. Webster, E. A. Berry, Dr. Isaac Newton, Dr. P. E. Donaldson, J. Fran- cis Davis, Richard Wallace, Fish, Thaddeus L. Wiltsee, Bethards, Mills, Waters, Whit- lock, Figley and Joseph M. Avann.
On the Kenton road east of Lima were held the yearly camp-meetings of the Method- ist church. In the Ada Record of April 19, 1899, Joseph Dobbins, a pioneer of Allen County, gave a vivid description of the camp- meetings held here as early as 1838. "On three sides of the square," he says, "were placed the log cabins of the campers and on the fourth side was the preacher's cabin or tent as it was called. Within the enclosure thus formed were the seats for the audience,
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the undergrowth being cleared off, leaving the saplings, which furnished a dense shade. Camp-meetings were usually held in July or August and in pioneer days the camp-meeting was one of the great events of the year, many 'coming from a great distance. Aside from its religious features, it afforded an opportunity for those living widely separated to meet and 'enjoy social intercourse; candidates for office sometimes took advantage of these meetings to do some electioneering and in a quiet way urge their remarkable fitness for the office to which they hoped to be elected. Some of the ministers who attended were giants both phy- sically and intellectually.
"Sunday was the great day for the meet- ing. In the early morning people began to assemble from all directions on foot, on horse- back, in all sorts of vehicles and carriages and long before the meeting the woods around the camp-grounds were alive with people, horses and vehicles. As night came on, the camp- ground presented an extremely interest- ing and picturesque appearance, with the camp-fires blazing in front of the cabins. While some were engaged in cooking their evening meals, others were holding im- promptu prayer meetings. Not infrequently might be seen, in shadowy relief, youthful lovers conversing in low, suppressed tones, evidently not on the subjects that concerned their spiritual welfare. A few shrill blasts from a tin horn announce the hour of meeting, the scattering groups assemble on the seats in front of the preacher's tent, some one starts a familiar hymn which all join in singing, and the evening service begins, which often lasts far into the night.
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