USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > Wapakoneta > History of Auglaize County, Ohio : with the Indian history of Wapakoneta, and the first settlement of the county > Part 11
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HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
Schuman Bros. manufacture about three hundred barrels of beer per year.
The product of both these firms is chiefly consumed in the immediate community.
Besides these institutions, are many cooper, wagon, black- smith, and harness shops of greater or less capacity. The re- tail business interests are represented by many houses, engaged in different lines of trade, and may be found fairly represented in the business directory of this volume.
Educational Interests.
DURCAU OF ILLUSTRATION, S.FT.LONY
WAPAKONETA UNION SCHOOL BUILDING.
The schools of Wapakoneta date back to the Quaker Mis- sion, established in 1809, but interrupted by the war of 1812. These, as elsewhere stated, were conducted on the Manual Labor System, until their second interruption in 1828, conse- quent upon the Indian excitement of that year. Still the Quakers remained, and must have operated to some extent
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until the removal of the Indians in 1832. As elsewhere stated, Isaac and Henry Harvey and their families had charge of this mission and its schools and mills. During the period of their superintendency, there were generally about twenty Shawnee children in attendance at this school. Two years after the removal of the Indians, the white population had somewhat increased, and a school-house was erected between the river and the present site of the depot. This movement was due largely to the enterprise of R. J. Skinner, F. B. Van Horn, and James Elliott. The building was constructed of such soft brick, that after being used for a school-house, town hall, and church for a few years, it had to be abandoned. During 1834-5-6 Mr. Smith taught a winter term in this building. The course of study embraced the English Reader, grammar, and arithmetic.
Between 1834-38 the school was supported exclusively by subscription, and the teachers "boarded round" with the differ- ent families.
The school was thus continued until 1840, when Dominicus Flaitz organized a German school, which he conducted during the following eight years. In 1845 the old French trading house was used for school purposes on account of the unsafe condition of the school building. From 1847-50 the old Meth- odist church did service as school and court-house. In 1856 a brick building was erected on the site of the present Union building at a cost of $2517. Two years later the school con- sisted of three departments. The present system was organ- ized under the Akron law in 1866, and the first board under this organization found it necessary to enlarge the accommoda- tions, and an addition was made to the old building at a cost of $1775. In 1874 the General Assembly granted the board power to issue bonds to the amount of $28,000, for the pur- pose of erecting a new building. The enumeration had now reached over one thousand. Messrs. Andrews and Mouch re- ceived the contract for $27,600, and during 1874-5 the build-
ing was pushed to completion. This structure is a commodious and substantial brick, well furnished, and reflects great credit upon the citizens of the town. The schools are now under an efficient management, and the town may boast educational fa- cilities of a very creditable character. The enrolment for this month, March, 1880, is 440, with an average attendance of 373.
The Catholics of the town founded an independent school in 1853, which is still conducted. In 1869 a two-story building was erected at a cost of $4000. The average attendance at this time (1880) is 150.
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HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
The present Board of Education of the Public Schools was organized with its present standing in June, 1880, and em- braces the following named members: F. C. Layton, Pres. ; L. N. Blume, Clerk; Wmn. Heinrich, 1. Lucas, Daniel Richardson, and Charles Wintzer.
It is thins evident the founders of the town appreciated in an unusual degree the importance of education. True, the be- ginning was amidst slab desks and benches and the applied methods resembled force more than culture, yet we remember that was the physical, as decidedly as this the intellectual period. Let infancy be the apology, and growth the justi- fication, for those rude materials and rude methods furnished a foundation for the higher culture of to-day. Like the schools of the whole country, the past was feeble, the present imperfect, but the future promises that completeness on which rests a golden hope.
CHURCHES.
ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH .- The organi- zation of this congregation was effected in 1857 by the adop- tion of the following constitution :-
PREAMBLE. - Whereas, due notice having been given, a number of members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, whose names are hereunto subscribed, having assembled in convention on the 25th day of December, 1857, in the M. E. Church in Wapakoneta, Auglaize County, Ohio;
And inasmuch, as a church organization, in which all its members are brought under the same rules of order and gov- ernment, is considered necessary in the successful promotion of the Redeemer's cause, therefore,
Resolved, That we form ourselves into an individual church, and adopt the following constitution as rules for our govern- ment :-
CONSTITUTION .- ARTICLE I. This church shall be called the " English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Wapakoneta, Ohio," and shall be composed of all whose names are subscribed to this constitution, and who shall hereafter be received by a vote of the council, and according to the usages of our church.
ARTICLE II. The council of this church shall be composed of the pastor, two elders, and two deacons, who shall be elected by ballot by the regular communing members, and shall serve for a term of two years; one elder and one deacon to go out of office at the same time.
ARTICLE III. The election of officers shall be held at the expiration of each year ; at which time a public exhibition and settlement of the church expenditures shall be made. .
10*
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HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
ARTICLE IV. The council shall appoint annually, at the first meeting after their election, a secretary and treasurer out of their own number.
ARTICLE V. No person shall be elected as pastor of this church who is not connected with a Synod, in connection with the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the United States of North America.
ARTICLE VI The formula for the government and discipline of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, as published by the General Synod, is hereby adopted for our government as far as it does not conflict with this constitution.
ARTICLE VII. This constitution shall not be altered or en- larged without the consent of two-thirds of the members at , any regular church meeting, due notice having been given of the time of meeting, and the amendments or additions pro- posed.
George Rench,
Rebecca Shawber,
Joshua Shawber,
Rachel Shawber,
John Shawber, Catharine W. Hills,
George H. Dapper, Catharine Kuhn,
Catharine Rench, Malinda Elliott.
Since the adoption of this constitution the following addi- tions and amendments have been adopted in accordance with the provisions of Article VII :-
ADDITIONS .- ARTICLE VIII. Adopted Dec. 25, 1864.
Resolved, That we regard dancing as a social amusement, or attending dances to connive at them, as contrary to a Christian profession, and against the rules and regulations of this church.
ARTICE IX. Adopted Aug. 2, 1868. It shall be the duty of all the members of this congregation to contribute annually to the several objects of benevolence approved by the synods with which the congregation is connected, and it shall be the duty of the officers of this church to see that this article is carried into effect.
ARTICLE X. Adopted Dec. 25, 1874. Resolved, That it is the sense of this congregation that its pastor and officers should discountenance all efforts to appeal for pecuniary aid and contributions in our congregation for objects foreign to our work as a church.
ARTICLE XI. Adopted Dec 25, 1874. Whereas, Certain games, such as billiards and card games, viz., whist, loo, euchre, poker, and the like, are in their tendencies entailing serious evils upon society, therefore,
Resolved, That, as social amusements, we regard such games
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HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
inconsistent with a Christ-like spirit, and incompatible with the dignity and integrity of the Christian character, and there- fore contrary to the rules and regulations of this congregation : further
Resolved, That we regard in a similar manner, dealings in lotteries, and the well-known practice of betting, with all other forms of gambling, as contrary to the rules of the congre- gation.
AMENDMENTS .- ARTICLE II. Adopted January 1, 1863. The council of this church shall be composed of the pastor, three elders, and three deacons, who shall be elected by ballot by the regular communing members, and shall serve for a term of two years; one elder and one deacon to go out of office at the same time.
ARTICLE II. Adopted Jannary 14, 1865. The council of this church shall be composed of the pastor, three elders, and three deacons, who shall be elected by ballot by the regular communing members, and shall serve for a term of three years; one elder and one deacon to go out of office at the same time.
Under the original constitution, Rev. A. F. Hills became pastor, and the first board of officers was formed by the elec- tion of Joshua Shawber and Geo. H. Dapper, elders, and John Shawber and Geo. Rench, deacons. In April, 1859, a com- mittee on building, consisting of Joshua Shawber, J. H. Sei- bert, and John Shawber, was appointed, and immediate steps taken toward the erection of a church. The following June the pastor, Rev. A. F. Hills, was removed by death. He had organized the congregation and labored with it during its weakness, and his loss was severely felt. During this infancy of the church, Mr. John Shawber, by his untiring devotion, contributed largely to the advancement of the cause. He con- tributed freely of his means, and his home became the home of the ministers. To-day he is the same earnest worker. The first sermon was preached in the new building January 28, 1860, by Rev. W. H. Wynn. On the 31st of the same month the church was formally dedicated by Rev. W. F. Conrad, of Springfield, Ohio, who preached the dedicatory sermon, being assisted in the exercises by Rev. W. H. Wynn and Rev. J. W. Goodlin. The building and ground had cost $3000, and on this occasion $816 was raised, which was sufficient to liquidate the whole building debt. Rev. J. W. Goodlin took charge of the church April 1, 1860, serving as pastor the following eight months, and was succeeded by Rev. W. C. Barnett, April 1, 1861, who retained the pastorate until March, 1865. The fol- lowing July Rev. D. W. Smith entered the field, and after serving as supply during the summer, accepted a call to the
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HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
pastorate, in which capacity he labored until April, 1872, when he resigned to accept a call to Mansfield, Ohio. He was suc- ceeded the same month by Rev. C. S. Ernsberger, who served until April, 1877, when he resigned to accept a call to Lucas, Ohio. The following June Rev. D. A. Kulin became pastor, and is in charge of the congregation at this writing. Of the ten founders of the church eight are still living, while the four whose names follow are still in connection with the congrega- tion: John Shawber, G. H. Dapper, Mrs. Young (née Rebecca Shawber), and Rachel Shawber.
Notwithstanding its early weakness, the congregation has steadily grown and added to its strength, until the organiza- tion which numbered ten members in 1857 has now a member- ship of over 200. That it is to-day a living growth is evidenced by the records of the year ending April, 1880, which show an accession of over forty members.
PRESENT OFFICERS AND APPOINTEES .- Pastor, Rev. D. A. Kuhn; elders, John Shawber, Geo. Romshe, and Win. Swink; deacons, A. M. Kuhn, James Swink, and Thomas Elliott. The elders and deacons ex-officio constitute the Board of Trustees. Chorister, Will McMurray; organist, Mollie E. Rogers.
SABBATHI SCHOOL .- During the pastorate of Rev. Barnett a school was organized, with John Shawber as superintendent. Since that period it has been fostered with solicitude, until at this writing the school consists of 17 classes, aggregating 190 pupils.
Officers: Superintendent, Thomas Elliott; Assistant Super- intendent, A. M. Kubn. Teachers: Class 1, Rev. D. A. Kuhn; Class 2, Mrs. D. A. Kuhn; Class 3, Prof. Hoover; Class 4, John Shawber; Class 5, A. M. Kuhn; Class 6, Harve Brokaw ; Class 7, Mrs. Kate Brokaw; Class 8, Will McMurray; Class 9, Mrs. Thomas Elliott; Class 10, Alice Whiteman; Class 11, Minnie Morey; Class 12, Maggie Cordell; Class 13, Mrs. Throckmorton; Class 14, Mary Hieks; Class 15, Mrs. John Shawber ; Class 16, Mrs. Ralph Craig; Class 17, Mrs. Mattie Zerfey.
Prebyterian Church.
On Sept. 23, 1854, a committee consisting of Rev. W. C Hollyday and Milo Templeton was appointed by the Preshy- tery of Sidney to visit Wapakoneta, and if deemed advisable to organize a church.
A sermon was preached by Rev. Hollyday, whereupon the following-named persons presented certificates of membership: William Shell, John Musser, Sylvia Bishop, and Margaret Walkup.
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HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
James Bishop, J. T. Mitchell, Harriet Mitchell, Jane A. Howe, and Jane S. Kelly were admitted upon examination. Thereupon William Shell was elected and installed ruling elder, and it was resolved that the church be styled the "First Pres- byterian Church of Wapakoneta."
On June 23, 1855, John Musser, Mary E. Musser, and Lydia A. Young united with the church, and in 1859 James and Sarah Harper and Charlotte E. Trimble entered into the church fellowship. Ang. 22, 1859, the congregation met in the Luth- eran church, and elected John Musser and James Harper ruling elders. By resolution a call was made for the labors of Rev. W. G. Hillman, one-third time at a salary of $200, to be paid quarterly. At a sessional meeting, Feb. 11, 1860, A. H. Trim- ble, F. C. Musser, and Jane Elliott were received into the church.
At a called meeting of the congregation April 12, 1860, it was resolved to organize by the adoption of the statutory pro- vision for the "Incorporation of Religious Societies," under the name and style of the "First Presbyterian Church of Wapakoneta."
John Musser, James Harper, and A. H. Trimble were elected ruling elders, and A. H. Trimble clerk. Dec. 28, 1861, J. B. Craig and A. H. Trimble were elected elders. A. H. Trimble died Sept. 19, 1864, and R. D. Marshall was elected his suc- cessor.
In June, 1869, Rev. D. W. Cooper was unanimously called to labor one-half time with the congregation. In 1872 he was succeeded by W. E. Hill, who began his ministry for one year. In 1879 Rev. D. W. Cooper took charge of the congregation, in which capacity he still remains.
St. Paul's German Lutheran Church. .
This body without any particular organization erected a church in 1848, and two years later effected a permanent organization and adopted a constitution. The members under this organization were as follows: John H. Fisher, Paulus Kratt, Heinrich Müller, Johann Müller, Johann C. Schubert, Christian Vossler, Wilhelm Taenseh, Adam Engelhaupt, Fred- erick Eversmann, Frederick Schlenker, Frederick Speith, Geo. Guttekunst, Gotleib Machetanz, Fred. Kohler, Manford War- ren, J. H. Hassenaeur, Christian Koch, Fred. Geyer, and J. F. Katz. Rev. During was pastor in charge, serving until 1855. The board of trustees consisted of J. H. Fisher and Adam Engelhaupt. From 1855 to 1863 Rev. Heinrich Koenig served as pastor, and from the latter date until 1867 Rev. J. Sutter
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HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
served in this capacity. Prior to 1868 the ministers were supplied by the synod, but at this period the church, largely of a union character, divided; the Reformed members, of whom we write, organizing independently of any synod, under the present title of " The German Evangelical St. Paul's Church." This is the foundation of the present church, while the other branch will be found treated elsewhere under "The St. Johns" congregation. In 1868 a committee was appointed to secure a new church site, and in May of same year Rev. Heinisch took charge of the congregation.
In April, 1869, it was determined to build a church, and a committee, consisting of J. H. Timmermeister, Wm. Taeusch, and Chas. Wintzer, was appointed on subscriptions. The com- mittee on building consisted of J. H. Timmermeister, Wm. Heinrich, and H. Miller. The first action was the erection of a parsonage the same year. In September, 1870, Rev. Rentzsch was elected pastor, and the following year the old building was sold, and a new one erected at a cost of about $8000. The lot was purchased for $500, and after the erection of the church the ladies of the congregation presented an organ at a cost of $1350. In 1873 Rev. Adolph Thomas was elected pastor, and two years later was succeeded by Ullrich Thomas, who was succeeded in 1876 by Rev. Zeinecke. The present pastor, Rev. Burkhardt, took charge of the congregation in 1878. In Sep- tember, 1876, the church united with the Protestant Synod of the West, with which it is still associated. The present con- stitution was adopted June 10, 1877, and properly recorded. The membership on roll at present amounts to eighty, the organization is free from debt, and in a prosperous condition.
The present officers are as follows: J. H. Timmermeister, President; Wm. Heinrich, Secretary ; Win. Taeusch, Treasurer; Gotfreid Weber, Wm. Heinrich, Adam Engelhaupt, Trustees.
Methodist Episcopal ..
Immediately upon the settlement of the town, the Method- ists formed a class, and in 1834 erected their first church building. Between 1837 and 1849 this building was used largely for school purposes, and after the latter date it also served as a court-house for a few years. At this time the fol- lowing named members constituted the congregation : Jas. Elliott and family, Robt. Mccullough and wife, Jos. Milnor and wife, Abraham Alspaugh and wife, Martin Barr, and Mr. Gray. The church continued in a feeble condition until 1861, when, under the ministration of Rev. L. A. Belt, a new growth was infused, and the erection of a new building undertaken.
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HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
Even then the congregation only numbered nineteen. It re- mained largely in this weak condition until 1872, when the active labors of Rev. Cozier added to its numerical strength. Again it remained conservative, only maintaining its old status until the present year, when, under the ministration of Rev. Hunter, the church accessions had increased the membership to fifty in good standing and thirty-two on probation. The church is thus in a better condition financially and numeri- cally than at any past period of its history. The boards of trustees, stewards, and class leaders are all full; a flourishing Sunday-school is sustained, and building improvements are contemplated for the coming season.
St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran.
This church was organized about thirty years since, the building then occupying a part of the present site of the Union School building. This building was purchased by O. T. Dieker, who removed it in 1874 and converted it into a dwelling. A difficulty arose in 1867, and Prof. Lehman, President of the Ohio Synod, reorganized with a portion of the members, and in 1878 the congregation purchased an unfinished building on Auglaize Street, of C. P. Davis and others, by whom it was undertaken under serions difficulties, for English Lutheran services. For some unknown cause, it was not completed, and was thus purchased by the St. Johns congregation. The first pastor was Rev. G. E. Buchbalz, whose services extended from 1867 to 1871. At the latter date Rev. F. Wendt took charge, and labored in this capacity until 1877, when the pres- ent pastor, Rev. C. Benzin, was called to the pulpit. The congregation is now in a prosperous condition, with its prop- erty free from incumbrance.
Roman Catholic.
Furnished by Rev. FRANCIS NIGSCH, Pastor of Wapakoneta.
Adherents of this church took a prominent part in the set- tlement of this county. Francis Duchouquet, an interpreter, Peter Hammel, a French trader, and F. J. Stallo, the founder of Minster, were all Catholics. So it may be said of all the settlers and accessions to Minster, for all were German Catho- lics. Still, at that period no priest was found within a radius of fifty miles to minister to these pioneers. This want was supplied in 1831. Prof. Horstman, of Glandorf, Germany, of fine learning, and a physician as well as priest, absolved the ties of friendship, embarked for America in 1831, and made
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HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
Glandorf, near Ottawa, Putnam County, the centre of his mis- sionary field. In his zeal, he traversed several counties, and came to Minster in 1832. His arrival there marks the real birth of Catholicity in Auglaize County. The services of the church were held for some time in the house of Mr. Voltke, which still stands opposite the drug store of Dr. Schemeider. The visits of Prof. Horstman were only monthly; but in 1832 a log church was built at his instance and under his direction. This building was 40 x 60 feet and sixteen logs in height, and served the purpose of the congregation for several years. Thc simple habits of Prof. Horstman enabled him to conform to the inconveniences of frontier life. His travels over his vast field of labor were all performed on foot, and all the Catholics within a distance of fifteen miles came to Minster to worship. Among the first settlers we find the names of Voltke, Messe, Kruse, Wendeln, Drees, and Stive. In 1832 and 1833 the cholera scourge nearly depopulated the little village of Min- ster, and left but few of the first congregation. Shortly after the building of the first church a school-house was erected, in which Hon. Bohmer, now of Fort Jennings, was the first teacher. After the death of Prof. Horstman, we find the names of Younker, Brand, Partels, Herzog, and Navarron offi- ciating in the old log church which was used by the congrega- tion until 1848, when the present church, 120 x 60 feet was built, at a cost of $15,000. Rev. John Vanden Brook (C. PP. S.) was pastor at this time. In 1875 an addition of twenty feet was made to the church, and two spires erected, 190 feet in height, which, with other repairs, aggregated a cost of $15,000. The present pastor is Very Rev. A. Kunkler, C. PP. S. In 1867 a commodious school building was erected at a cost of $7000. For the convenience of distant members, a church was built three miles southeast of Minster in 1852, which was sup- planted in 1878 by a fine brick church, at a cost of $6500. This church is known as Egypt. The Minster congregation numbers 342 families, and those of Egypt about forty. At the latter place the following pastors have officiated: Rev. S. Wittmer, B. Birnbaum, and the present pastor, Rev. John Vanden Brook. In 1872 a small brick church was built in Bremen at a cost of $3000, of which more than two-thirds was contributed by non-Catholics of the town. 3 About twelve families worship here, attended by Rev. Ig. Selb, assistant priest of Minster.
Wapakmeta and Petersburg .- Prof. Horstman, when visit- ing Minster, would usnally stop several days at thesc points and provide for the spiritual wants of the Catholics of the
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community. In 1836 a log church 40 x 30 feet was built at Petersburg and blessed by that missionary. In Wapakoneta he celebrated mass in private families until 1839, when a small frame church was built on the corner of Pearl and Blackhoof Streets, to which an addition was afterward built. Still the building proved too small for the growing congregation, and in 1853 it was determined to erect a brick church on the pres- ent site of the school building. Accordingly a contract was formed with Mr. John C. Bothe to build a church 80 x 45 feet for $8400. The payment was to be made by instalments as the building progressed, but the plan proved a stumbling- block to the congregation. Mr. Bothe was accused of a viola- tion of contract, and by an order of the Most Rev. Archbishop was stopped in his work. Suit was instituted for damages against the church, and, after some years of litigation, a set- tlement was effected at the cost of about $11,000 by the con- gregation, and still they had no house of worship.
Rev. George Boehne Herzog and different other priests of the congregation of the Precious Blood (C. PP. S.) visited the congregation at intervals, the first regular priest being Rev. Martin L. Bobst. He remained mostly at Petersburg, where he died in October, 1848. Revs. D. M. Winands, Scha- froth, and Muckerheide attended the congregation for some time. The latter resided in Freyburg, where a neat church had been built in 1850. Disappointed, but not discouraged, the Wapakoneta congregation, in 1857, began the erection of a fine church, 120 by 50 feet, on the corner of Pearl and Perry Streets. The building was completed the following year, and dedicated in honor of St. Joseph. Rev. And. Herbstrit was pastor at that time. During the year it was supplied with four bells, with an aggregate weight of 4414 pounds. These complete, with hangings, cost $1678.90. It is the custom of Catholics to deed all church property in trust to the bishop of the diocese; but as the St. Joseph Church was indebted to the amount of $20,000, the Most Rev. Archbishop refused to accept a deed, as he was unwilling to be responsible for the debt. To-day this proves to the advantage of the church, for the archbishop's assignee cannot trouble this property. We find among the Catholics of Wapakoneta, in 1834, J. Keller, M. Seifert, J. Kininger, J. Sabin, M. Landkammer, P. Goetz, D. Schmidt, And. Werst, Mosler, and Weimert.
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