USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 29
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As time advanced the log schoolhouse gave way to a frame or brick structure, with an improved style of benches and desks. Progress was also made in the theory and practice of teaching. A session in a rural school becomes an im- portant session. Before the free-school system was established, schools were made up by subscription. The teacher first went around with an article of agreement, promising to teach a quarter provided enough pupils could be obtained. Each subscriber agreed to send and pay for the tuition of the number affixed to his name. The usual rate was one dollar and a half per quarter for each pupil.
Many persons in this county have used teaching as a step to something that they considered higher. After a few terms of teaching they betook themselves to a business that appeared more permanent and lucrative.
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND UNIVERSITY.
About the year 1870 an interest in higher education developed among the adherents of the Tunker or German Baptist faith in Ashland and vicinity. There were prosperous farmers who desired to exert some influence in the educational sphere and it crystalized in the erection of Ashland College in 1878, clear of debt. Among the interested parties were H. K. Myers, Austin Moherman, I. D. Parker, George Irvin, Elder Saddler, Cyrus Hoover and Josiah Keim. The doors were opened to students in September, 1879, with S. Z. Sharp as president. 4
The first terms were favored with fair success. A boarding hall was urged upon the trustees, and upon certain promises made by the president, one was erected at a cost of over nineteen thousand dollars, and no means were in hand to pay it. This became a burden and the development of divisions in the church let the institution in the hands of the promoters.
In 1882 the fraternity separated into three branches, and the one known as the Progressives embraced the interests of the trustees who built the college as private parties with the purpose of educating the young of the church. The institution hung in the balance for six years, and was sold by the court in 1888. Members of the Progressive Tunkard or Brethren church bought the buildings, and former trustees of the Conservative Tunkard church purchased a part of the land. The debt on the college was cleared in 1908.
The building is located on a beautiful site in south Ashland, high and dry on Bank street. The college building is one hundred by one hundred feet, three stories and cellar, and was erected at a cost of about fifty thousand dollars. It will accommodate five hundred students. The dormitory is forty by one hun- dred and ten and will house one hundred and twenty roomers, and is well equipped for convenience and comfort. A commodious gymnasium was built in recent years.
In 1888 it was incorporated as Ashland University. New life entered into the work of the institution as the old debt passed, and recent years were filled with success, cheer and promising prospects.
The courses maintained are the regular classical, scientific, philosophical, preparatory, normal, divinity, music, fine art, and commercial.
The college year is divided into three sessions. Students are admitted without regard to creeds and the highest moral and religious influences are exerted. The accessory societies, associations, etc., of well ordered colleges, are maintained. The work done testifies in the highest praise for thoroughness, practicability and usefulness. Dr. J. Allen Miller, Professor Levi L. Garber and Professor John R. Beal have been the staying strength of the faculty for ten to fifteen years. Other names, well woven in the history of the college are, H. K. Myers, David Bailey, A. L. Garber, Josiah Keim, John Keim, I. D. Bowman, H. R. Holsinger, Eli Yoder and J. L. Gillin.
VERMILLION INSTITUTE, HAYESVILLE. PROF. S. DIEFENDORF
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X.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES OF ASHLAND.
WRITTEN BY AARON L. GARBER, EDITOR ASHLAND SUN.
The introduction and development of the religious and spiritual interests of the people of Ashland, partook of the common practice of pioneer life and primitive christianity. The places of congregating were private residences, barns, and in later years schoolhouses, until it became practical to build churches, and public buildings became available. The courthouse of Ashland, a relic of pioneer methods, yet standing in Ashland, is sacred to the religious memory of many as a meeting place in the development of churches. The-pioneer relig- ious teachers were of the Presbyterian, Baptist and Tunker (Brethren) faiths; the last being confined to the country until recent years, and no record of their early activity has been made.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The first organization of Christians in the locality of Ashland was Presby- terian. Several Scotch-Irish families who located as early as 1814-1816, among whom were Robert Nelson, Abraham Doty, David Mckinney, David Pol- lock and Abel Montgomery. Near the end of 1816, these people were visited by Rev. Joshua Beer, and soon after by Rev. William Matthews, who were can- didates for settlement in the locality. In 1817 a society was formed under the name of "Montgomery," the Lord's Supper observed by an assembly of twenty-two persons holding certificates of membership and twelve who were received on examination. The organization was completed by the choice of two elders, Robert Nelson and Abraham Doty. A log-cabin church was erected in 1819, one mile west of Ashland, then called Uniontown. In 1820, the name of the assembly was changed to "Hopewell." The next record of the church May 22, 1822, has Rev. Robert Lee in charge and later Rev. Matthews succeeded, in 1826, for a period of eight prosperous years.
On July 1, 1833, twenty-one members were dismissed to form a church at Clear Creek, seven miles north, and on August 5th, nineteen to establish a church at Orange, five miles northeast; on April 21, 1834, thirty-nine to begin a con- gregation at Olivesburg, six miles west. Rev. James Robinson succeeded as pastor until 1838. During these years the membership developed in Ashland, and in 1836, a house of worship was erected in the village.
A spirit of opposition began to arise about this time between the country and village membership. The introduction of a choir in the service and aban- donment of the practice of lining hymns for singing were made issues, and steps for the organization of a new church were taken, and in 1841 the Hopewell organization was declared dissolved by an authorized committee, and on the 29th day of July, 1841, the membership accepting the purposes of the committee, were organized under the name of The First Presbyterian Society of Ashland, Ohio. The opposition carried a complaint to the Presbytery, and the name of Hopewell was restored to them, and they continued as a separate church for years.
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The first church of Ashland was organized with a membership of forty- three and the elders appointed were Joseph Wasson, Thomas Smith and Samuel Fulton. Rev. James Polland, and Revs. Robert and Samuel Fulton ministered to the church. On June 21, 1844, Rev. James Robinson was installed pastor, receiving five hundred dollars per annum. He continued the relation forty years, his compensation being raised from time to time. He resigned and closed his pastorate January 27, 1884.
A call was extended to Rev. D. B. Duncan and he began his pastoral rela- tion April 8, 1884, and closed it October 26, 1892, nineteen years; he continued to fill the pulpit most of the time for several months afterward.
Rev. Joel Clark Glover began his pastorate October 1, 1903, and ended his service, September 16, 1906.
The Hopewell Presbyterian building erected in 1836, was sold to the Cath- olic church of Ashland, soon after the death of Rev. Samuel Moody in 1856.
The original building of the First Presbyterian church cost two thousand two hundred dollars. It was enlarged twice, in 1851 and 1858. The present building on the corner of Third and Church streets was completed in 1883, and cost about twenty-two thousand dollars.
In 1887-89, the church passed through much trouble. Some time before a spirit of rivalry arose among leaders of the republican party. The member- ship of the church became divided in feeling and sentiment; a rival republican paper was established, the Gazette and the church seemed to have been made one of the places of trouble, until those opposed to the course of the pastor, with- drew to the number of sixty, in 1889 and more followed later. These entered into the organization of a Congregational church.
Times of great interest and ingatherings were 1857, '58, '68, '76, '87 and'94. The membership is about three hundred.
In 1887 the parsonage was completed and cost four thousand dollars.
The First Presbyterian Society of Ashland was incorporated by special act of the legislature February 26, 1842, but no organization was effected under the charter. August 1,1882, the matter of incorporation was taken up by J. O. Jennings, R. D. Freer, E. W. Wallack, S. W. Beer, E. S. Briggs and Alax. McDowell as trustees and an organization completed under the articles of in- corporation as The First Presbyterian church of Ashland. This sketch was compiled from the church records written by Pastors Robinson and Duncan, orginal papers in possession of J. W. Patterson and county histories.
The pastor in charge at this date, 1909, is Rev. William E. Bryce.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This class was organized, in 1823, according to Hills' County History and was composed of seventeen members, eight males and nine females. James Swaney was the first class leader. The organization was effected by Revs. James Hazard and James Haney, at the residence of John Smith, in Ashland then called Uniontown. Services were held at his residence, in his barn during the summer, in a log building used as a schoolhouse.
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About the year 1828 the trustees of the class purchased a lot of William Anderson, now a part of the courthouse square, and erected thereon a stone building and occupied it until 1846, when Ashland became the county seat of Ashland county, and the church house was sold and occupied as a courthouse about seven years.
On March 31, 1847, the trustees, William Hough, William Mellington, John Mason, Aron Binckard, John Proudfit, Robert McMurry, Holiday Ames and J. D. Stubbs as trustees, purchased one fourth of an acre, corner of Church and Fourth streets, and in 1848 began services in a new house of worship and used it ten years before it was completed; it was remodeled twice during an occupancy of forty years. The lot was bought for one hundred dollars and sold for one thousand three hundred and fifty dollars, the house being destroyed by fire.
In 1886, steps were taken to build a new house, and a lot was purchased west of the courthouse, a very desirable location .. The new house was dedicated Sunday, June 10, 1888. The new building cost about twenty-four thousand dollars and on the day of dedication eight thousand dollars was subscribed to cover the indebtedness remaining.
This work was done during the labors of pastor G. W. Pepper, a patriotic son of Ireland, who gave the front window, bearing his own and also the names of Parnell, Emmet and Gladstone, defenders of the rights of Ireland. Through the generous gift of Mrs. Mary Free, Ashland was favored with a town clock in the steeple of this church.
A parsonage was purchased at a cost of about three thousand dollars, May 1, 1884. The membership in 1909 was about eight hundred.
The pastors serving the church' since conference appointments began in 1839 are as follows : E. McClure; 1840, T. Barkdull; 1841, J. McMahon; 1842, D. Gray; 1844, J. Mitchel; 1846, J. Kellam; 1848, D. Gray; 1849, H. G. Dubois ; 1850, S. C. Parker; 1851, R. H. Chubb; 1852, H. S. Bradley; 1854, Henry Whiteman; 1856, T. F. Hildreth; 1859, E. H. Bush; 1861, J. I. Kennedy ; 1863, Charles Hartley ; 1865, W. H. Seely ; 1867, D. D. T. Mattison; 1869, T. K. Dissette; 1871, J. W. Buxton ; 1873, P. B. Stroup ; 1875, S. L. Yourtee; 1876, V. D. Lawrence; 1876, D. D. T. Mattison ; 1877. Elsero Persons ; 1880, M. P. War- ner; 1883, G. A. Hughes; 1885, George W. Pepper; 1889, George Mates; 1893, P. B. Stroup; 1897, W. C. Dawson; 1901, Austin Philpott; 1907, B. F. Rhoads.
The M. E. Church has been an important factor in the religious interests of Ashland, and its record indicates a healthy and uniform development. I. H. Good, long an official member is largely responsible for the facts of this sketch.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The history of this church began in 1820, by a minister known as Father Stough, who preached to the Lutheran families scattered in the locality of Ash- land for about ten years. He was followed by F. J. Ruth, who was active in pioneer ministry in the locality and filled his calling with much good work and
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large success for about eight years. During his ministry David Schuh or- ganized an assembly of German Lutherans north of Ashland, which later became a part of the Ashland congregation.
In 1839, Rev. W. J. Sloan came to Ashland and established a regular Synod Lutheran church. He was a brilliant speaker, a determined temperance advo- cate, and an energetic revivalist. The Methodist church was opened for a revival service, with the fruit of forty-four conversions, who were equally divided between the two. With these twenty-two members and the ten or twelve constituting his following, he organized late in 1839. In the record of mem- bers appears the familiar names of Mcclellan, Maxwell, Grosscup, Imhoff, Frazee, Young, Ruth, etc. The first deacons were W. Imhoff and Weber, and the elders were, A. McClellan and Father Young. The first house of worship involves a bit of moral romance. The burning temperance principles of Rev. Sloan rested upon the brewery on the southwest corner of Orange and Second streets with covetous desire. The pastor, supported by his congregation, boldly made a proposition of purchase; it was accepted, and the result is agreeably expressed by the pastor in 1909, Rev. A. H. Smith, as follows: The mault tubs, the barley mill, the fermenting vats, beer kegs, and beer drinkers too, were rolled out. The building was disinfected and thoroughly sanctified by washing and scrubbing; the partitions were torn out, the walls plastered, and all duly arranged for a holy purpose, when the noble band of Christain men and women entered with seats, pulpit, Bible, hymnbook and catechism to preach and wor- shiped Jesus Christ after the faith of their fathers.
Great revivals were held in 1847 and the house became too small, and a, new one was erected on the north side of Second street, at a cost of three thou- sand dollars. This building was destroyed by a disastrous fire which swept the street in 1884. Preparation was at once made to erect a new house, and it was located on the corner of Church and Third streets, east of the court-house square, at a cost of seventeen thousand dollars.
In 1908 contracts were let for additions and improvements at a cost of twenty-three thousand dollars, making it the most elaborate church edifice in the city of Ashland. The dedication services of the rebuilt church were held May 23, 1909.
The list of pastors is as follows: 1820, Father Stough; 1830, J. F. Ruth; 1838, W. J. Sloan; 1844, E. Eastman ; 1846, Rev. Hoffman; 1847, W. A. G. Emerson; 1852, S. Ritz; 1855, Isaac Culler; 1858, S. W. McReynolds; 1861, W. A. G. Emerson ; 1862, A. H. Myers ; 1866, J. W. Swick; 1875, M. L. Wilhelm; 1880, C. S. Sprecher; 1884, H. C. Haithcox; 1891, A. H. Smith; 1904, H. E. Simon; 1908, A. H. Smith. The pastorate was vacant in periods before new pastors were installed several times.
Credit is due Rev. A. H. Smith and Hill's History of Ashland county for the facts of this history.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
A Baptist congregation was organized in Ashland, Rev. John Rigdon was the regular minister. A few years later he embraced the teaching of Alexander
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
Campbell, and became an active minister in the Church of the Disciples of Christ. The congregation continued to worship in a church house near Ashland until about 1849, when it ceased to exist. Later Baptist families located in the town and near, under the leadership of Rev. I. N. Carman, built a church house on Walnut street. The congregation was not able to maintain regular service, and the building was disposed of some years ago.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The history of this organization began about 1829 when John Rigdon and Michael Riddle, a resident in the vicinity of Ashland, organized a congregation of twenty or twenty-one members.
Rev. Rigdon was active as a Baptist minister, but passed under censure at a Baptist Association held in Mifflin township. He was present and heard the announcement of his suspension on a charge of heresy in embracing certain teachings of the Disciples and Alexander Campbell. He there announced that he would preach from a stump nearby at an hour announced. The congregation followed him except his brother ministers and a local elder, and nine were baptized as a result of his preaching. His labors continued to be fruitful. In 1836 a new organization was entered into, which embraced some of the member- ship of the first organization, and they met in the Whiting house, corner of Orange and Third streets in Ashland, where James Porter preached the first sermon. Meetings were held at the homes of Michael Riddle, John Mykrantz, F. Selcers, etc., until a house of worship was erected on Orange and Fourth streets, in 1843.
The church has enjoyed seasons of great success and occasional difficulties that checked its progress. The old house of worship was replaced by a com- modious structure of modern design, and dedicated December 30, 1888. The cost . was eight thousand dollars. The membership in recent years ranged between three hundred and three hundred and seventy. The following pastors have served the church :
James Porter, John Reed, J. D. Benedict, Henry Dixon, Andrew Burns, Isaiah Jones, J. N. Carman, L. R. Norton, John W. Lowe, J. L. Parson, John F. Rowe, Jacob Lowe, H. D. Carlton, R. G. White, N. P. Lawrence T. A. Cooper, S. J. White, J. H. Mohorter, C. H. Plattenburg, A. Martin, S. V. Williams, John Cronenberger, Byron C. Piatt, Grant W. Speer, C. A. Pearce.
THE EMANUEL CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.
During about thirty-six years previous to the organization of this church, ministers of the association preached in and about Ashland to the scattered families of that faith. In the '40s and '50s, Bishop John Seybert, in his missionary tours, frequently stopped at the home of Joseph Heltman, west of Ashland, and preached to the scattered believers, and the pastors of the Richland circuit continued this ministering up to about 1860. About this time the membership was placed under the control of the Wayne circuit and its pastors
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who preached in the Ashland courthouse and in private homes. A church house was completed in 1874 and dedicated by Bishop Dubbs. The lot and house on Third street cost about six thousand dollars.
Rev. J. S. Felger was the last pastor to serve the congregation before the erection of the church. He was followed by D. H. Rosenberg, who continued his relation during 1875, when regular appointments were made. In 1875 E. B. Crouse; 1877, J. O. Stull; 1878, Noah Shupp; 1879, A. Vandersol; 1881, A. Evans; 1884, John Schneider; 1885, G. W. Meesie; 1887, Rev. Stauffer; 1889, C. Vincent ; 1891, A. W. Orwig; 1892, C. Vincent; 1893, W. A. Shisler; 1896, C. H. Schluter; 1898, J. A. Hensel; 1900, W. H. Gamertsfelder; 1903, J. M Prickett ; 1907, B. E. Reams.
The congregation is planning to erect a new house of worship on a new location.
THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
The history of this society begins in 1867. Rev. R. Watson was serving a charge in the Western Reserve Conference and organized a class of eighteen members in Ashland. Jacob Stem was the first class leader, and William Binkard, Joseph Moore and Joseph Bechtel were the first trustees. The circuit minister preached in the Baptist church, courthouse, the Disciple church and wherever opportunity opened the way. A church building became a necessity and in January, 1870, a house of worship was dedicated on east Walnut street. The development of the organization was constant with the exception of some agitation on the subject of secret societies and the withdrawal of nearly one hundred members in 1887. In 1894 a new church edifice was commenced and completed in about three years. The sisters of the society purchased a lot on the southeast corner of Center and Washington streets, and their enterprise inspired the whole congregation to determined effort. The trustees then were, H. T. Imhoff, J. L. Corts, J. P. Michael, S. Stauffer, and C. A. McIlrain. The new church was dedicated on November 15, 1896. The cost was eight thousand five hundred and ninety-six dollars.
The architecture is modern and tasty. Further improvements and additions were made in 1908, and rededicated February 14, 1909. In 1905 a handsome parsonage was built on a lot just east of the church, with modern equipment at a cost of twenty-four hundred dollars without cost of lot. The membership in 1909 was two hundred and seventy.
The pastors serving the church were: 1867, R. Watson; 1868-1870, E. O. MeIntire and J. Noel; 1870. C. A Slater ; 1871, G. M. Triffit; 1872. N. Lewis; 1874, D. W. Sprinkle; 1877, J. Noel; 1878, J. W. Moody ; 1880, J. G. Baldwin; 1883, R. Watson; 1886, D. W. Sprinkle; 1887, W. S. Coder; 1889, D. Kosht; 1891, J. W. Shepard; 1893, W. A. Airhart; 1894, Wm. Clark; 1897, W. S. Coder ; 1898, J. A. and Emma Weiler ; 1900, H. A. Dowling; 1901, Ellen R. King; 1904, U. M. Roby; 1906, W. W. Gans; 1908, Sager Tryon.
A record worthy of mention occurred in the pastorate of Rev. H. A. Dowling, who did not look with favor upon the methods for raising money
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encouraged by his predecessors, and urged that all such methods be abandoned on the ground that they were not of the Lord. He proposed that pledges be taken to pay a sum equal to one cent per day. This plan was adopted and from that time suppers and socials for moneymaking were a thing of the past, and the society has prospered as never before, and rapidly discharged its financial obligations.
THE BRETHREN CHURCH.
This faith is known in many localities as the progressive Tunkers or German Baptists. During the years of 1878-82 there was great agitation among leaders of the German Baptist congregations over rules of dress and the authority of elders. A division into three independent conferences was the result, in 1882. In the summer of 1879, after the completion of Ashland College, a society was organized in Ashland, and worshiped in the chapel of the college. The majority of the membes of this organization decided to cast their lot with the progressive element in the divide. The heavy debt on the college made it an undesirable property for adoption by the main body of the Tunkers, and it was espoused by the progressive people, who continued to use the chapel as a place of worship, with the exception of a short period, to the present.
The rule of the Tunker churches was to elect from its membership men whose lives were exemplary and who were apt to teach as elders, and the ministerial responsibility was frequently divided between two or three. Before the division, the Ashland Brethren church was served by S. Z. Sharp, S. H. Bashar, John Worst, and Edward Mason. After the change, S. H. Bashar, John Worst, Edward Mason, H. R. Holsinger, Eli Yoder. About 1886 W. C. Perry took the work and Isaac Kilhefner succeeded for a brief period. A. L. Garber became minister and continued in the service until 1894. S. H. Harri- son followed. The work was associated with the college by the church confer- ence soon after and J. Allen Miller became pastor and remained in charge to the present, with the exception of two years absence in which Zed H. Copp served, and another year by John L. Gillin. The membership is about one hundred and fifty, and the society is in a prosperous state.
ST. EDWARDS CATHOLIC CHURCH.
As early as 1853, Father Brennan, of Wooster visited Ashland and said mass in private homes, and he was followed by Fathers O'Neil, Maloney, and Rev. J. F. Gallagher. In 1863 the Hopewell Presbyterian church dissolved and sold their building to the Catholic church for six hundred dollars. This is the proper date of the organization. In 1865 Rev. J. Khun, of Mansfield, visited the church about once a month. The church was repaired at an expense of about five hundred dollars.
In 1867 Rev. A. Magenhann took charge and during his ministry the old church burnt and a substantial brick, thirty-six by fifty feet, was erected in 1870. In 1872, Rev. M. Schmidt, of Loudonville, took charge. He was
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