History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 20

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896

USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 20

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PERRYSVILLE ACADEMY.

This institution was erected in 1871. It is thirty-two by forty-five feet, two stories high, and cost about three thousand five hundred dollars. It is eligibiy sitanted, and deserves a liberal patronage. Professor J. C. Sam- ple has been the principal since the erection of the academy. It originated from a select school, in 1860, under Professor Sample. He opened the school and met with flattering success. The project of creating an academy was put on foot, and resulted in that institu- tion. The average nuniber of students is about seventy- five. The advanced branches are taught, and many teachers are departing from the school annually. Their influence is felt in many parts of the county.

ASHLAND COLLEGE.

For many years the Church of the Brethren (Tankers) had under consideration the propriety of establishing an institution for the higher education of the sons and daughters in that denomination, and had made a num- ber of attempts in this direction at Berlin, and at Plum Creek. Pennsylvania, and at Bombon, Indiana, all of which eforts had failed: but the friends of the move. ment in northeastern Ohio, undaunted by previous re- Verses, determined to make their enterprise a success. and solicited S. A. Sharp, their professor in Marseille

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

college, Tennessee, to sever his connection with that institution and throw his entire energy into this new en. terprise. After several refusals, he at last consented, and in June, 1877, made a tour through a part of this State in search of a suitable location. The choice of himself and friends was nearly unanimous in favor of Ashland, and when this was well discussed by the friends of the movement, the matter was laid before some of the most influential citizens of Ashland, who at once caught the spirit, called a meeting in the city hall, where an un- usually large and enthusiastic audience was addressed by the present president of the college, S. Z. Sharp, who set forth the object of the founders to be to establish a college equal to any in the State ; that it would be under the care of the Church of the Brethren to the same ex- tent that other colleges were under the care of their reli- gious bodies; that among the prominent features of the institution would be thorough scholarship, and the culti- vation of a sentiment among the students to appreciate solid worth rather than vain show; and that plain, neat attire, and a richly stored mind, were better than a gaudy dress and an empty mind. After hearing the plan and aims of the proposed institution, the citizens of Ashland unanimously endorsed the project, and at once raised ten thousand dollars towards the erection of the college building. The most beautiful site in this part of the State was selected: A campus of twenty-seven acres of land was bought for six thousand three hundred and thirty-three dollars, and a building erected which is at this writing nearly completed, and will cost, including material, work, supervision, furniture, apparatus and cab- inet, sixty thousand dollars. The college building is one hundred feet front, one hundred deep, four stories high, built of brick, roofed with slate, and, for substantial con- struction and convenience, has few equals. There is also a boarding hall one hundred and ten feet long, forty feet wide and four stories high, which, when completed, will cost between ten and eleven thousand dollars.

A charter was obtained February : 2, 1878, by which the institution is placed under the care of members of the church of the Brethren, and put upon an equal footing with any other college in the State. The charter provides for the following courses of instruction: class- ical, philosophical, normal and commercial.

The college was formally opened September 17, 1879, with a full corps of instructors, as follows: Elder S. Z. Sharp, A. M., president, professor of mental and moral philosophy ; L. Huber, A. M., professor of Latin and mod- ern languages; J. E. Stubbs, A. M., professor of Greek language and literature; David Bailey, A. M., professor of mathematics; Jacob Keim, Ph. D., professor of natura! science; J. C. Ewing, professor of music: Mrs. C. P. Chapman, teacher of painting and drawing.

The first term closed December 24, 1879, with one hundred and twelve pupils enrolled, and was regarded as a decided success in every respect.

ASHLAND CHY CHURCH.

The Ashland City Church of the Brethren (Dunkand) was organized May 22, 1879, with S. 7. Sharp as eller

in charge, and S. H. Basher, assistant in the ministry. J. H. Worst was also called to the ministry, on the day of organization; and J. N. Roop and E. J. Worst, dea- cons. The membership enrolled at that time was forty- three, which has increased since to sixty-five. The congregation worships every Sabbath in the chapel of Ashland college, and has a Sunday school of over one hundred menibers. The Gospel Preacher, having a cir- culation of about five thousand, and Our Sunday School, a juvenile weekly, having nearly six thousand subscribers, are published in Ashland, under the auspices of the Brethren church.

CHAPTER XXXII.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES AND CHURCHES.

The Eckley Church. - - The Presbyterians. --- Methodist Episcopal Churches .-. The Evangelical Lutheran. - Baptists and Disciples .-- . German Baptists, or Tunkers .-- The, Evangelica! Association .- Ger- man Reformed. --- Catholics.

IN the early settlements of the territory now compo- sing Ashland county, there were but few organized churches. An occasional minister, of the Presbyterian or Methodist persuasions, traversed this region. The pioneers, for a number of years, assembled in a log cabin to hear preaching. If the weather permitted, people often gathered in the forest, and sometimes in a log bain to hear a new minister. As the country improved, and the settlements became more densely populated, religious societies of kindred faith, by voluntary contri- butions of labor, prepared timber, and other necessary materials, began the erection of small hewed log chinch- es, and employed a preacher to deliver an occasional discourse. In this way, all the early organizations strug- gled along from year. to year, until Providence enabled them to build more elegant structures for public worship.

The name of the first organized religious association, within the present limits of the county, remains in some. uncertainty. The Eckley church, a log building, in the northeast part of Vermillion township, was undoubtedly the first church edifice erected within the county. We understand, however, that it was a union building, and free to all Protestant ministers, and was long so used by all denominations. The Methodists being mich more numerous, occupied the building the major part of the time for many years.

THE PRESBYTERIANS.

Upon carefully comparing traditions, we are inchned to the opinion that the first organized congregation was within the present limits of Montgomery township. The membership was largely composed of the residents of Milton toxpship. It was organized by the setthis at IS15 16, who were the descendants of the Scotch I. S. In 1816 those people, mostly from western Pennsylvania, were visited by Nev. Joshua Beer, who preached a few

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

sermons in the cabins of the pioneers, and became a candidate for settlement among the congregation then organizing. About the same time Rev. William Mathews also became a candidate for employment. Upon con- sultation, the members gave Mr. Mathews the preference, and employed him one-third of the time. The balance of the time was divided between Mt. Hope, in Perry, and Jeromeville, in Mobican township, where a few Pres- byterians were beginning to organize, with a view of erecting churches. In 1817 the Hopewell congregation was organized, and twenty-two persons received on cer- tificates and twelve on examination. In ISIS Robert Nelson and Abraham Doty were elected elders, ordained and installed. The members, so far as we can learn, were Robert Nelson, Abraham Doty, David Mckinney, William Huston, David Pollock, Abel Montgomery, Will- iam Andrews, George Ryall, Samuel Burns, David Burns, Jasper Snook, James Clingin, James Ferguson, Hance Hamilton, Thomas Cook, Robert Culbertson, Isaac Mathews, Jesse Mathews, William Lions, John Hall, George Hall, Samuel Urie, James Black, William Shil- ling, and their wives, and Mrs. Jane Burgett, Mrs. Mary Stevenson, Mary Vanoshand, Susan Vanmeter, Nancy Owens, Margaret and Mary Owens, Mary Callen, Nancy Starret, Obediah Ferrell, John Crabs, John Prosser, Jo- sopli Scott, Elisha Kelley, and Cornelius Eaton.

In 1819 a hewed log church, thirty by thirty-five feet, was erected one and a half miles west of Uniontown, now Ashland, on what is now the Olivesburgh road. Ac- cording to the recollection of Mr. John Nelson, son of Robert, "the building had a cabin roof, plank floors and door, plank benches without backs or cushions, the win- dows very high from the ground, the pulpit clevated after the old style, fou: or five steps, and boarded as high as a man's shoulders. The church was heated, in winter, by a large box-stove, capable of receiving four-foot wood. The building was crected by the voluntary efforts of the pioneers and members, some furnishing a quota of hewn timber, others, plank and boards, and others, clapboards, sash, glass and nails, while others, with teams, hauled the materials to the ground where the church was to be erected. William Andrews and George Ryall, excellent singers, were chosen to conduct the music. They were stationed near the pulpit, on a platform, where they read two lines of a psalm or hymn -

"And are we wret-hes yet alive, And do we yet rebel? "

and sang, the congregation joining as the leaders pro- ceeded to read and sing."

These services-reading, singing, and preaching - be- gan about ten o'clock in the forenoon, and continued un'il about twelve o'clock, when there was a recess, after which the services were renewed for one or two hours. In the absence of the pastor, a reader was selected from among the church officers, who read a printed or written discourse for the edification of the members. This task frequently fell upon Eller Robert Nelson, who is said to have been a fluent reader. It was not uncomnion, at that period, for members and others to ride or walk

three or four miles, along the forest paths, to attend day and evening meetings.

We have been thus careful in the description of the early practices of the pioneers, for the reason that all other denominations passed through a similar routine until their organization and membership were sufficient to warrant the erection of denominational church buildings.

The Rev. William Mathews continued, a portion of bis time at Hopewell, until 1821, and was succeeded by Rev. Robert Lee, who remained until 1826, when he was succeeded by Rev. William Mathews, who devoted one-third of his time, until 1833, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. James Robinson, who gave half his time, until 1837, the congregation, in the meantime, increasing to about one hundred and fifty members. In :837-38 a lot was purchased in Ashland, and a large frame church erected thereon, and the old church was aban- doned.

The minister officiating at that time was Rev. Samuel Hare. In 1839 Rev. S. N. Barnes supplied the pulpit . He was succeeded by Rev. Robert Fulton, then principal of Ashland academy. He remained until ISti, and was succeeded by Rev. James Robinson, who remained until 1843. when he was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Moody, who was paster until his deinise, in 1856.

The church building, soon after, became the property of the Catholics, the congregation having dissolved and connected with other churches.

The Jeromeville Presbyterian church, in point of time, succeeds Hopewell. The congregation was organized as early as 1817, and Rev. William Mathews divided his time with: Rehoboth, as it was called in 1820, and Hope- well. The first church edifice was erected in 1825. Mr. Mathews was succeeded, in 1820, by Key. Robert Lec, and he, in 1869, by Rev. R. Brown, who remained until 1832. He was succeeded by the following, in the order named: Revs. Robert Fulton, Samuel Feitos, William Colmary, S. Diefendorf, and Thomas Beer. The last named remained until 1857, and was succeeded by Rev. James Bower. In the meantime, after 1830, Revs. Samuel Baldridge, Joseph Wylie, Benjamin Lowe, and J. W. Knott are believed to have acted as supplies. The membership is thirty-five.

The Mu. Hope Presbyterian church, in the northeast part of Perry township, was organized in 1820, and a small log building erected. At that period. it was known as the "Muddy Fork church," being situated near that stream. In 1831, the name was changed. Its first pastor was Rev. William Mathews, who, at that time, had charge of Hopewell, near Ashland. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Robert Lee. In 1829, Rev. R. Brown became pastor. He preached also at Congress and Jeromeville. In 1834, Rev. Thomas Beer took charge of the church. In 1836, the building was accidentally burned. In ISit, a new church was built. Mr. Beer remained until 1837, when he was succeeded by Rev. I. B. Vanlamons. The church ceased to cart in .8612. having lost its membership by emigration.

The Perryville Presbyterian church was organized as carly as iSis, by Rev. S. Baldridge. He remained

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

some time, and was succeeded by Rev. William Hughes, in 18'9. The present church building was erected in 1865, and is thirty-four by fifty-five feet, and has a bell. The building is neat, and cost three thousand dollars .. The church also possesses an organ. The original elders were Thomas Coulter, John Van Hom, and George Crawford. The Rev. William Hughes, who filled its pulpit for thirty-seven years, retired in 1866, in conse- quence of age and feeble health. He states that, when he came, there were no church buildings in either Han- over or Lake, and but one in Green township. The membership is one hundred and twenty-five.

The Lake Fork Presbyterian church was organized in 1826, through the efforts of Rev. Samuel Baldridge. The congregation met in the cabins of the pioneers, un- til 1831, and in 1832 erected a church. The congrega- tion, always small, ceased to exist in 1858, since which time there has been no regular service.

The Savannah Presbyterian congregation was organ- ized by Rev. Robert Lee, in IS33. He and Rev. Wil- liam Mathews are believed to have supplied the church, occasionally, as ministers, until iSão, when Rev. F. A. Shearer succeeded to the pastorship of the church, and continued two years. In 1845, Rev. W. C. Kniffin be- came pastor, remaining three years; and in 1848, Rev. W. T. Adams became the pastor, and remained two years. In 1856. Rev. A. Scott became its pastor, and remained until 1872. In the interval between 1850 and 1856, Rev. William Bonar, Rev. James Anderson, and Rev. Jacob Coon, labored as supplies. The member- ship, at present, is one hundred and seventy-eight ; and Rev. John Kelley is pastor. In 1861, the church building was cousider bly enlarged and improved.

The Orange Presbyterian church was organized in 1834, principally through the efforts of Rev. William Mathews. In 1835, Rev. Nathaniel Cobb was pastor ; and in IS.11, Rev. T. A. Shearer became pastor, devot- ing one-third of his time. In 1843, Rev. Samuel Moody became its pastor, dividing his time equally be- tween Hopewell and Orange. He continued until his decease, in 1856 ; when Rev. A. Scott become its pastor, and continued until 1872. Rev. S. T Boyd, the present pastor, was his successor. The number of members is about eighty.

The Usited Presbyterian church of Hayesville was organized in 1835, by Rev. Samuel Hindman. He had preached in Hayesville occasionally, one or two years prior to that time. ile devoted one-fourth of his time to Hayesville, and the balance to Mansfield, Iberia, and Savannah. He retired in 1842. In 1844 Rev. J. L. Mchain took charge of the congregation, dividing his time equally between Mansfield and Hayesville. He re- tired in 1855. From that period until 1856, the church had occasional supplies. In 1856, Rev. J. Y. Ashenhust became the pastor, dividing his time equally between Savannah and Hayesville In 1859, after the union of the associate reformed churches, Mr. Ashenhust confined his services to Hayesville. The present membership is about eighty.

The First Presbyterian churen of Ashland, in conse-

quence of a division in Hopewell, on the subject of music and modes of worship, was organized in 1841. The congregation of Hopewell opposed choir music. Those concurting in the propriety of a choir, after a number of conferences and consultations, withdrew from the mother church, and established a new one, which received the name of the First Presbyterian church of Ashland.

The new congregation erected a fine free-stone build- ing, forty-three by sixty-five feet, and fifteen years after- ward increased its length to eighty-four feet, and other- wise greatly improved it. It has a large bell and a good organ. It was served by Rev. Robert and Samuel Fulton, as supplies, until 1843, when Rev. John Robinson be- came the pastor, and has continued ever since, a period of over thirty-one years. It has prospered greatly under his ministry, and now contains a membership of about three hundred and twenty.

The Second Presbyterian church of Ashland was re- moved in 1879, and a new and handsome brick church built by the congregation, at an expense of about twenty- five thousand dollars, on the old location. The present structure presents an imposing appearance, and retains the old bell.

The Presbyterian church of Hayesville was organized in 1846, through the efforts of Rev. Benjamin T. Lowe, who divided his time between the churches of Jerome- ville and Hayesville. Rev. William W. Calmary suc- ceeded the former, and remained until 1850. when he was succeeded by Rev. S. Dietendorf. In 1852, he was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Coon. In 1853 he resigned. and the church remained without a stated minister until 1854, when Rev. Diefendorf again supplied the pulpit. In 1859, a new frame building was erected by the con- gregation, and Mr. Diefendorf continued, as supply. The church, at present, has no minister. The member- ship is about one hundred.

The Mifflin Presbyterian congregation was organized in 1851, through the efforts of Rer. W. T. Adams. The membership being too feeble to erect a church building, worshipped in the union church, which was erected in 1851, and occupied by the Baptists, Albrights, Method- ists, and Presbyterians, jointly. The congregation ceased to exist, through inability to sustain the preaching of the gospel, in 1854.

The Free Presbyterian church of Savannah was organ. ized in 1851, by Rev. F. M. Finney. It had but fourteen members at its organization. The congregation still occu- pies the Associate Reform church. It has not increased largely in members, and at present has no minister,

The United Presbyterian church of Savannah was or- ganized in 1858. Its membership was derived from the union of the Associate and Reformed Presbyterian churches. The membership is now believed to be about one hundred. The first pastor was New. I. V. Asken hust. In ISor Rev. William Bruce became the state supply. The congregation occupies the Free Freshy. terian church, and the present pastor is Rev. Mr. Miller.

The Associate Reformed Presbyterians of Savaanth organized as early as 1831, the Rev. Jamies Johnson be-

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

ing the first minister. He was succeeded by Rev. James Arbuthnot. The congregation erected a house of wor- ship in 1834, and a new and more commodious one in 1845. Originally the church was the strongest in Clear- creek township, having among its members some of the most influential of the pioneers, among whors were the MeMeekins, the Welshes, the Hearsts, the Taxtons, the Dunlaps, the Marshalls, Longbridges and Craytons, of Scotch-Irish descent. We are unable to give the exact number of members.

The Presbyterian church of Savannah, presided over by Rev. Kelley, removed their old church in 1879, and built a new one at an expense of about five thousand dollars. It is a frame, has a bell, and presents a fine ap- Dearance. It is located a little cast of the old church on another lot.

The Presbyterians of the village of Polk, in Jackson township, formerly connected with the Orange church, erected a handsome frame edifice in 1875. The exact number of members we are unable to give. The minis- ter is Rev. Samuel T. Boyd.

The Loudonville Presbyterian church was organized in 1873. The pastor was Rev. Homer Sheely. In 1874 he resigned, in consequence of ill health. In 1875 a neat church edifice was erected. The membership is about fifty. The present pastor is the Rev. F. R. Davis.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.

The first Methodist preachers held their meetings in the cabins of the pioncers until a sufficient number of members were obtained to form a class, with. leaders. When the membership became sufficiently numerous, small log or frame churches were erected, and their congregations speedily enlarged. As communities im- proved in wealth and means, a new era dawned, log churches disappeared, and neat frame or brick structures took their place. The circuits were large, and traveled on horseback. The early preachers were proverbial for their good horses. Strong, active animals were chosen. In making the round of their circuits through the forests, across the valleys and amid the hills of Ohio, in the in- clement seasons of the year, these animals often carried their faithful riders across swollen streams and through bogs and swampy paths to their appointments. The characteristic hat, white cravat, and Quaker cout, of the Methodist preacher, enabled the pioneer to recognize his mission. The zcal and energy manifested by the early Methodist preachers captivated the plain settlers; and small classes were formed in almost every section of the country.

The first church building occupied by the Methodist · people of this county, is believed to have been erected by George Eckley and his neighbors, in the northeast part of Vermillion township, in 1816 or ISIS, and was free to all Protestant denominations. Mr. Eckley was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and that people being the most numerous in the settlement, occupied the church a plain log buikdling, - the niaje r part of the time. At an early day, a number of quarterly conferences were held at this church. The members

from a distance prepared and brought food from home, upon which to subsist during the progress of the meet- ings. In fact, Methodism radiated from "Eckley's" to every part of the county, and that church must be credited with being the originator of Methodisin in this legion. The old church has long since tumbled into ruins; and a more showy frame structure, known as "Newman's church," occupies its place. The member- ship is small.

The Methodist Episcopal church of Ashland, was or- ganized in 1823. The first class was composed of the following members: Jacob Grubb and wife, James Hull and wife, Elijah Oram and wife, James Kent and wife, Therygood Smith and wife, James Swaney and wife, : John Smith and wife, Mrs. Henry Gamble, Belinda and Mary Smith. James Swaney was the first class leader. The class was organized by Revs. James Hazard and --- - James Haney. It met at the house of John Smith, (which stood near the site of the brick residence of the late Christopher Mykrantz,) for a number of years. In the meantime, Father Goff Melntire, and Rev. H. O. Sheldon, are remembered as having traveled this circuit. In 1835-6, the congregation erected a large freestone church in which they worshipped until 1847, when it was disposed of to the county commissioners for a temporary court house. In 1848, a new brick church was com- menced. It was about ten years before it was completed throughout. It is fifty by eighty-five feet, and has a base- ment for class rooms and official meetings-a choir and melodeon and a good bell. The church is frescoed and the seats are neatly arranged and finished. The member- ship is about three hundred.

In this, as in all the other Methodist churches of this county, it is impracticable to give a full list of ministers, owing to the fact that they have been changed every one or two years.

The Methodist Episcopal church of Orange was of- ganized in 1830, and a small church erected. In 1853 the present edifice, forty by sixty feet, was built Vachel Metcalf and John Sloan were very active in organizing the first class. The Reverends Elmier Yocam and John Jaynes were the first, circuit preachers. The early mem- bers were John Sloan, Vachel Metcalf, Jacob Fluke, John, Isaac and Andrew Mason, Wesley Richards, Isaac Gordon, Thomas Richards, Henry Gill, George Koontz, John Fluke and their wives. The present mendership is about one hundred and fifty.

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 20

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros Publication date: 1880 Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams Number of Pages: 896

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896