History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 103

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 103
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 103

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

296

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

the old building on Fourth street. This house contains seven school rooms, and one recitation room.

March 27, 1854, Mr. E. B. Pierce was elected principal, He was assisted during the first year by one male and three female teachers; afterwards by one male and four female teachers. He resigned April 26, 1856.

August. 14, 1856, Samuel Sharpless was elected Superintendent. IIe resigned February 11, 1857. His resignation to take effect 23d February same year.

Alfred Kirk succeeded Mr. Sharpless, and remained in the schools till July 7, 1858.

Wm. Wheeler was elected Superintendent August 13, 1858, and served one year.

Chas, R. Shreve was elected Superintendent July 8, 1859. He was assisted by five female teachers. Mr. Shreve has continued to superintend the schools to this time.

A separate school for colored children was established Decem- ber 16, 1870, and has been kept up ever since,

December 1, 1871, a German school was established, and was continned for three years, when the separate school was discon- tinued. German has been taught to classes going to English schools up to this time.

May 23. 1874, a levy of 82,500 was, by vote of the district, authorized to build two two-story frame school houses, with two rooms each -- one in the upper part of the district, called Clark sub-district, and one in the lower part called Belmont city sub- district. These houses were finished and ready for occupancy Jannary 1, 1875.

September 10, 1878, the board of education was instructed by vote of the district to " enlarge the central school building," and $4,000 was voted for that purpose. A substantial two-story brick building, containing four rooms, with cloak rooms, was completed September 15, 1879.

There are now employed in the schools, besides the superintend- ent, Mr. C. R. Shreve, fourteen regular teachers and a teacher of voeal music.

Number of graduates from the high school : May 28, 1869-Three girls. December 20, 1872-One boy. June 12, 1874-Four girls. December 24, 1874-Five boys. June 2, 1876-Two girls, June 1, 1877-Eight girls and four boys.

May 31, 1878-Six girls. May 30, 1879-Five girls and one boy.

CHURCHES.

FIRST "PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The following has been culled from a sermon delivered by Rev. G. W. Chalfant by Dr. S. B. West :

The First Presbyterian Church of Martin's Ferry was incor- porated by a special act of the legislature of the state of Ohio, March 7, 1843.

Previous to the year 1836, the people of this neghborhood seemed to have enjoyed no stated preaching. Mt. Pleasant and Rock Hill were the nearest Presbyterian churches on this side the river. A few worshipped with the First Church of Wheel- ing. Services were held here occasionally by ministers of var- ious denominations, in school houses and private dwellings. Among these the venerable and beloved Dr. Mitchell labored faithfully as he had opportunity, both here and in Bridgeport, from the time of his settlement at Mt. Pleasant in 1829, where the writer of this sketch heard him preach his first sermon to the congregation of Mt. Pleasant, in the Seceder Church, which stood on a lot northeast of the town.

The movement which resulted in the organization of the Presbyterian Church of Martin's Ferry began in a conversation between Mr. Moses Porter (at that time a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wheeling, and afterwards one of the first ruling elders of this church.) and Joseph Blackford, then a ruling elder in the Mt. Pleasant Church and a ruling elder in this church since its organization. Moses Porter removed to this place a short time before the town was laid out, and resided here ahont ten years, when he removed to New Cumberland, W. Va., the former home of his family, where he died March 10, 1845. Mr. Porter was esteemed a man of rare piety and zeal for Christ and his cause; he was one of the earliest Christian workers in this community, conducting a Sabbath School and

prayer meeting before any church organization was founded here. His services in visiting and praying with the sick and afflicted, and his wise Christian councils will ever be gratefully remembered by many hearts among us. Joseph Blackford, ven- erable for age, is among us until this day and is known by all.

When together attending the sessions of the Grand Jury at St. Clairsville, in the spring of 1850, they determined, after considerable conference to make an effort to secure an organi- zation. Principally through their influence a petition was sent up to the Presbytery of St. Clairsville at its October meeting of that year at Concord.

The record of Presbytery is as follows: "At a meeting of Presbytery at Concord, October. 6, 1840, commissioners being present from the town of Martin's Ferry, were heard asking the organization of a church at that place; also a commissioner from the congregation of Mt. Pleasant was heard in opposition. At length it was resolved that the prayer of the petitioners be granted, and Rev, Dr. Rea and Rev, James Alexander were ap- pointed a committee to organize a church in that place if the way be open."

"At the next meeting of Presbytery at Wheeling Valley, Jan- uary 12, 1841, the committee appointed to organize a church at Martin's Ferry, if the way be open, reported that they did not organize a church at that place, as the way was not open, the members not having their dismissions from the churches with which they stand connected. Their report was accepted and their conduct approved."

At the same meeting of Presbytery we have: "The subject of the organization of a church at Martin's Ferry again brought up by the commissioners from that place, and after receiving all the information on the subject within the reach of the Pres- bytery, it was resolved that the prayer of the petitioners be granted, and that Dr. Rea and Rev. James Alexander be ap- pointed a committee to organize a church at that place as soon as convenient, if the way be open."

" BEECH SPRING, April 20, 1841.

" The committee appointed to organize a church at Martin's Ferry reported that on the 31st day of March, 1841, they or- ganized a church in the town of Martin's Ferry, to be known by the name of the First Presbyterian Church of Martin's Ferry."

"The report was accepted and adopted and the church added to our list."

"The Rev. Dr. Rea being absent the duty of organizing the church devolved wholly upon Rev. James Alexander."

The roll of members at the organization consists of sixteen names as follows :

From the church of Mt. Pleasant, Joseph Blackford, Isabella Blackford, John Givens, Martha Givens, Martha Mitehell, Ann Taylor, Sarah A. Taylor, James Wiley, Lucinda Wiley.

From the First Church of Wheeling, Moses Porter, Elizabeth Porter.

From the church of St. Clairsville, Susanna Finey.

From the Fourth Church of Cincinnati, Eleanor Greer.

From Connier Synod, Ulster, Ireland, John Francy, Joyce Francy, his wife, and George Francy.

Joseph Blackford, James Wiley and Moses Porter were ebosen elders, and were ordained and installed at the same time,

The congregation had no stated preaching during the first year of its existence. Rev. Nicholas Murry, afterward Profess- or in Washington College, supplied them occasionally while teaching in the female school in Wheeling, and Dr. Weed, of the First Presbyterian Church, of Wheeling, preached occasionally. In the spring of 1842 the services of Rev. Carson were secured for one-half of his time for six months. During hisstay the church occupied for the first time their house for worship. Mr. Carson afterwards removed to Chillicothe, and then to Os- caloosa, Iowa, where he was in charge of the Presbyterian Church for some time. November, 1842, the labors of Rev. Samuel Hair, successor to Mr. Murry in the female school at Wheeling were secured all his time at a salary of $300 per an- num. He preached every Sabbath morning in Martin's Ferry, and at Bridgeport in the afternoon, He labored here until Jan- uary 16, 1844, with general acceptance and success. Following Rev. Hair, Rev. James Stuart preached a short time. He after- wards removed to Marietta, and died there. The congregation was without a minister again until June 1, 1846, when the Rev, James Alexander, D. D., settled here and served the church one- half his time, being its first resident pastor.

In 1851 the church of Kirkwood was organized principally from members of this church residing in or near Bridgeport.

ANI

KELLEY

Lower Tipple.

W. S. HETHERING

BELMONT COAL WORKS, JACOB H. HETHERINGO

JACOB

HETHERINGTON.

NER VEAL

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MAIL.

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COURRIER

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IN. ALEXANDER HETHERINGTON.

HAMDEN HETHERINGTON.

Upper Tipple.

RINROPRIETOR

BELLAIRE, BELMONT COUNTY OHIO.

RSBURG

297

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTES.

The church, although somewhat weakened by the withdrawal of these members, continued to increase in strength, and in 1858 secured the labors of Dr. Alexander the whole of his time. In the following year Dr. Alexander, whose name is so closely identified with the whole history of this congregation, resigned his charge, having served this church with eminent success and faithfully for thirteen years.

In the spring of 1860 the Rev. J. D. Fitzgerald took charge of the congregation and labored the whole of his time efficiently and acceptably for three years, when he resigned. Rev. George W. Chalfant preached, by invitation, in the month of June, 1863, in the M. E. Church in the morning and in the Presbyterian Church in the evening, leading to his settlement as pastor.

The stated services of the Rev. Chalfant commenced on the second Sabbath of October, in the congregations of Martin's Ferry and Bridgeport, where he labored acceptably and profita- bly to his people for the period of six years, when the pastoral relation was dissolved at his own request, giving his whole time to the congregation at Kirkwood.

December 4, 1869, the Rev. H. G. Blaney succeeded Mr. Chal- tant and labored his whole time with acceptance to the congre- gation up to 17th April, 1872, when he requested the congrega- tion to unite with him in asking Presbytery to dissolve the ex- isting pastoral relation, to which request the congregation ac- ceded. From the 17th of April, 1872, to February 15th, 1873, the congregation was served by stated supplies, at which time the present pastor, the Rev. G. W. Chalfant, assumed charge of the church, and divides his time with the congregation at Kirk- wood.

The following persons have acted as ruling elders at different times from the date of its organization :

Joseph Blackford, installed March 31, 1842, formerly a ruling elder at Mt. Pleasant. Moses Porter and James Wiley, ordained and installed March 31, 1841. John Mitchell, Henry Wells and James G. Wiley, ordained and installed July 25, 1847. Robert Blackford, ordained and installed April 25, 1852. Thomas J. Holliday, April 25, 1852, previously a ruling elder in Freeport. William Strong, installed May 24, 1857. A. A. Smith and James Smyley, ordained and installed March 31, 1857. W. N. Holliday. Samuel Sharpless, William St. Clair and J. A. Mitchell, ordained and installed January 4, 1863. Of these Thomas J. Holliday died March 18, 1859, having filled the office in this church with great acceptance for seven years. A. A. Smith died March. 1862, one Fear after his ordination. James Smyley died 1870. Wm. St. Clair, July, 1872.

The present session consists of the following, to-wit: W. N. Holliday, Thomas G. Culbertson, John Armstrong, Wm, Clark, H. W. Smith and John M. Kinslow. Since its organization there have been received to the communion of the church on cer- tificate from other churches 163, and on profession of faith 272. The present membership is 210. The church raised for all pur- poses the past year, $2,300.

The Sabbath School under the care of the church numbers 250, and is in a prosperous condition.

The church building was commenced in 1841. It was occupied by the congregation in the summer of 1842, although it was not completed for several years after that date. It was with the years of bank suspensions and the stringency in monetary mat- ters of the country that the church at this time had to contend. But the zeal of the founders did not relax, but with antiring en- ergy they toiled on until they had a comfortable place in which to worship.

To show the self sacrificing spirit of one of the contributors to the erection of the building, his son, then a small boy, says that he had to forego the luxury of wearing shoes, because every dol- lar was paid for the purpose of building the church,

The ground upon which the building stands was generously donated by the late Ebenezer Martin, who, although a member of another denomination, not bound however by sectarian pre- judice, but with large christian charity, contributed to the churches of all denominations, while he was blessed with the means of so doing.

When the workmen commenced the foundation, the ground was in wheat, and lay at that time entirely outside of the town plat. Repairs and improvements were made at various times until the year of 1866, when the edifico was remodeled and en- larged to its present condition, at an expense of forty-five hnu- dred dollars. There were eight feet and a gallery added, and the walls of the church were raised six feet, with a suspension roof, which superseded the unsightly posts that formerly stood in the midst of the church.

38-B. & J. Cox.

In addition to the main building a lecture room 18x45 feet was erected, in which weekly lectures, prayer meetings and the Sabbath schools are held.

The audience room contains seventy pews, besides the gal- lery, and will comfortably seat 425.

The belfry and steeple, which adds much to the appearance of the building and is an ornament to the town, was built in the fall of 1875, under the direction and superintendence of the Rev. G. W. Chalfant, the present pastor of the church, who has displayed much skill and taste in its finish and architectural proportions ..

At the same time the bell, weighing twelve hundred pounds, cast by the Fulton Bell Foundry, of Pittsburgh, Pa., was placed in its present position, and every Sabbath day by its mellow tones the citizens are summoned to the house of God.

Reviewing the whole history, as a congregation we find little that is extraordinary or worthy of special note. We recognize the hand of the Lord in its steady growth, and would gratefully ascribe to Him all the glory of the good accomplished through its instrumentality.

HISTORY OF THE MARTIN'S FERRY BAPTIST CHURCH. BY REV. DR. G. C. SEDGWICK, PASTOR,

This church was organized in the year 1836 with six mem- bers, viz: William Callahan, Ann Callahan, John Davis, Eliza- beth Davis, John Dakan, Mary Dakan, all of whom have passed over the river and entered into rest.

The ministers present on that occasion were: Revs. G. C. Sedgwick, Sr., R. H. Sedgwick and T. M. Erwin, the last being chosen pastor, as it was through his labors the foundation of the church was laid, he having been appointed by the Ohio Baptist State Convention to labor as a missionary in this field. Elder Erwin says, in writing about the field at that day : "At this time there was no organization of our denomination in all this region, except in Wheeling, the nearest Baptist Church to the Ohio river in Belmont county being Stillwater, at Rock Hill." * *

* * " The Methodists at the time had a small organization in the town, worshipping in private dwellings, for as yet there was no meeting-house of any description in the place. An old dingy school-house (the only public building then in town) was held both by Methodists and Baptists as as a kind of reserve fort, and used only when nothing else could be procured."

The church feeling the need of a meeting-house began to agi- tate the feasibility of building one. Ebenezer Martin gener- ously donated a lot, and the community responded nobly to the appeal for aid; but unfortunately the financial panic of 1839-40 came on, rendering the collection of funds extremely difficult, so much so that, though they succeeded in getting the house up and fit for use, yet leaving them considerably involved in debt. The church grew steadily under the labors of Elder Erwin. which continued until March, 1842, when he left. having re- ceived some sixty-five members by baptism.

William Wadsworth, having been ordained at the request of the church, was called to the pastorate after Elder E. left. Owing to unhappy domestic troubles he only served six months, when he left, and removed to Illinois, where he soon died, it was said. " a poor, broken-hearted man."

After Elder W. left the church called Rev. William Callahan to the pastorate, who served three months, and left.

In January, 1844, Rev. Daniel Cell assumed the pastoral care of the church and served four years, during which time some sixty members were added to the membership by baptism and letter. Elder Cell was a good man and faithful pastor, but owing to the financial difficulties and other troubles of the church, his pastorate was one of trouble and vexation, and his usefulness seriously crippled.

After he left, for a period of some eighteen or nineteen months there seemed to be no records of the church kept.

In September, 1819, Edward Jones was called to the pastorate. He was ordained and assumed the charge, serving in this capac- ity two years and six months, receiving into the church a few members, some six or right.

After Elder I. left, Rev. W. R Mayberry took the charge in April, 1852, and served as pastor until October, 1854, Trouble among the deaconship and their friends existed during this period, rendering his pastorate unpleasant, though not unprof- itable, for he received some eighteen or twenty into the church during his labors.

The writer and many others know that Rev. George T. JJonos served the church as pastor some two years, but the records are

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

silent and say nothing about it; but it is believed to have been between the pastorals of Rev. D. Cell and Rev. E. Jones,

In October, 1854, Rev. Dr. G. Cyrus Sedgwick was called to the pastorate, which was accepted. At this time the church was in a low and demoralized condition, owing to a heavy debt and mortgage on the church property, contracted when the honse was built. The house was hardly fit to hold meetings in. but by the Divine blessing the debts were all paid, the house repaired, seated and painted, and made a fit place in which to worship God. Dr. S. continued as pastor until January, 1869, spending one year, however, in the army to help put down the "Great Rebellion," His labors were largely blessed in gather- ing a large number into the membership of the church, having received during this pastorate over two hundred by letter and baptism.

Thus, after thirteen years' continuons pastoral labor, and one vear as supply, when laboring for the Bible Union, Elder S., thinking that perhaps his work was done here, resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. C. IL. Gunter, who engaged with the church in Angust, 1869, and continned until the spring of 1876. During the pastorate of Elder G. some fifty-five or sixty mem- bers were received into the fellowship of the church. In the fall of 1876 the church extended a call to Elder Sedgwick to again become their pastor, which was accepted, and labors began, and have continued until the present, with a prospect of an in- definite extension. Since entering upon this second pastorate fifty-one have been received into the church at the present writ- ing. July, 1879, and the prospects are very encouraging for still greater accessions.

The great draw back to the permanent enlargement and pros- perity of the church is the fact that it has ever been largely made up of the floating population, brought to our community by our mannfactories. Many of this class have found spiritual homes in our church for a season, and then changed their places of business.

But while we have thus lost, other places have gained, so that the influence for good is not lost, but will go on to bless the world, and when the sower of the good seed has been forgotten the precious influences thus set in motion will never die or be forgotten.

At the present the church has a membership of about one hun- dred and fifty, having dismissed hundreds to seek spiritual homes in other places, while many have been called from the labors of earth to the rest and refreshment of the church of the first-born on high, and some have "gone out from us because they were not of us."

HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCHI.

The Catholic Church of Martin's Ferry is a little frame build- ing 45x25, located on First street, one square north of the Blast furnace. It was built in the fall of 1872. At that time the Catholics ot this place were attended once a month by Rev. P. Style, of Bellaire, pastor of St. John's Church in that town, and it was under his auspices that the church was built in Martin's Ferry. This place continued to be a mission of Bellaire until the spring of 1875, when Rev. J. A. Morony took charge as res- ident pastor and remained until May, 1877, when he had to give up the charge on account of ill health, and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Joseph Tuohy.

The church is now too small for the congregation, and the present pastor contemplates building a larger one as soon as possible.

GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.

The German Lutheran Church was organized in Martin's Ferry in 1864 by the Rev, Frederick Fredericks, who took charge of the church and served as pastor for two years. Pre- vious to this time several of the German families attended ser- vice in the First German Lutheran Church at the city of Wheel- ing. The organization service was held in the United Presby- byterian Church of this place, in which they worshipped for two years. Mr. Fredericks, after serving the congregation faithful- ly and effectually, resigned, and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Berkenmyer, who assumed the pastoral care of the church and labored for one year.

The Rev. Mr. Eastermyer accepted the oversight of the church, in 1867, and preached for six months, and left the field. and for the next three months the congregation was supplied with preaching by the Synod of Pittsburgh.

July 4, 1868. Rev. Walters accepted the position of pastor of the church and remained for three years. For two years he also

taught the German school in the same building. Ile resigned in 1871 and was succeeded by the Rev. John Fritz, who served the church with ability and general acceptance for four years. For two years he also taught the German language in the Mar- tin's Ferry Union School. He resigned and removed to New Castle. Pa.

January 1, 1876, Rev, Baker served in this church for three months, and was followed by the Rev. Kunkle, who preached for two months and retired from the service of the church. At this time, July 2d, the congregation is without a stated minis- ter, but is supplied by the committee of the Pittsburgh Synod. The Rev. Marwine is chairman of said committee.

The present church building was erected in 1867. It is locat- ed on the east side of Fourth street near the residence of Mr. James Gray. It is a neat and comfortable one story brick house twenty-four by forty-five feet, plainly but tastefully finished and furnished, with twenty-four pews and will comfortably seat eighty-five persons.

The following list of names united with the church at its or- ganization : Henry Helling, Louis Myers, Frederick Kanap, Charles Swartz, Angust Rntherman, Henry Juyger, Charles Seabright, Henry Reibling, Charles Whunke, Henry Floto, Jacob Brown. Michael Stuling, John Shutters, August Speek.

This church, like others in the village, has had its discourage- ments and embarrassments, but with fidelity and true Christian Zeal for the cause of religion, the dawning of a brighter day be- gins to break and cast the shadow of great good which it is hoped is in the near future for the German Lutheran Church of Martin's Ferry.

The minister in charge at present is Rev. George Shoddy.

HISTORY OF THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MARTIN'S FERRY, OHIO.

The United Presbyterian church, of Martin's Ferry, was or- ganized with sixteen members on the 4th of June, 1851, in the Presbyterian church of that place, by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Presbytery of Steubenville. The Session by which it was organized consisted of Rev. T. L. Spear and elders Thos. Sweeney, James Waddle and J. R. Dickey. On the same day the infant congregation clected for itself Messrs. Andrew Ral- ston, Thomas Mitchell, John Lawrence and Samuel Giffin as el- ders, who were ordained two days after.

The congregation at once set about the erection of a house, and built a comfortable brick building on a double lot on the north- western corner of Fourth and Hanover streets, which still stands, itself and surroundings being greatly improved since that time. The lots cost two hundred and fifty dollars ; the house, about two thousand dollars.

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History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 103

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728