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 138

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 138
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 138

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).

The cause thus inaugurated prospered there and at Belmont through the divine blessing till in the year 1836, they unitedly numbered seventy-five families. Sometime in the year 1836, Rev. Closkey was removed from the care of these churches by the Presbytery and placed over the congregation of Piney Fork and Mt. Pleasant. On the 17th day of December, 1828, the elder- ship of McMahon's creek was enlarged by the addition of David Milligan and William McKirahan. The next pastor was Rev. Samuel McArthur, of New York state. The minutes of the ses- sion say :

"The Rev. Samuel McArthur having been regularly called, commenced his ministerial labors in this congregation on the third Sabbath of August, 1838." His ministry continued until April 6, 1849, when he gave in his resignation.

During his pastorate we find the following action in the min- utes of the session of August, 21, 1839 :

"On motion it was resolved that the members of this session will discountenance the use of distilled liquors, by not using them themselves, except for medicine, in case of actual sickness, vor furnish it to others in their employ." The session was again augmented by the ordination of Samuel McKirahan, John Lackey and William Marshall, Jannary 13, 1842,"

After Mr. McArthur's resignation in April, 1849, the congre- gation of McMahon's creek met and found themselves disorgan- ized and withont ruling elders. The regular steps were taken to ob- tain another session, which resulted in the election and setting apart of Thomas McKirahan, Alexander King and James Gordon to this office, September 2, 1849, the Rev. Mr. Doeg officiating. The Rev. Josiah Alexander was the next shepherd of this flock, beginning his oversight of the same on the first Sabbath of June, 1853. This pastorate was a brief one, ending in May, 1854, as I can ascertain from the data before me.

Several years elapsed, when the Rev. William Grimes was

called and commenced his pastoral work on the third Sabbath of July, 1858. The church had now become United Presbyterian, which body was formed by the union of the Associate and Asso- ate Reformed Churches in May, 1858. On September 25, 1859, James Irwin and John Bigger were installed as ruling elders.

Rev. Grimes' pastoral relation with McMahon's creek, contin- ued until March, 1862. During those stormy times when the war excitement and political matters generally ran high, this congregation with several others in Ohio and Pennsylvania, withdrew from the United Presbyterian body, and cast in their lot-with the Associate Reformed Synod of the South, This event occurred in 1865. Again it was found necessary to reorganize and elect a new bench of elders in McMahon's creek, David Bigger, Christopher Hinkle, John Johnston, Joseph Mehollin and James Wiley, were chosen, and installed by the Rev. E. B. Calderhead, in the sunnner of 1865. In the spring of 1867 the Rev. Wm. M. McElwee, of Virginia, came into the bounds of the Presbytery, and labored as a supply more or less during the years 1867-8. A strong but unsuccessful effort was made by McMahon's creek in connection with Uniontown to secure his pastoral services.

In the fall of 1867 the present pastor, W. S. Moffatt, came into these bounds from Obion county, west Tennessee, and minis- tered to these vacancies during the winter of 1867-8. In May, 1868, he removed here with his family, and labored as stated supply for twelve months. A call was then made out and pre- sented for his pastoral services October 19, 1868. His installa- tion at Uniontown, occurred April 19, 1869-at McMahon's creek the following day.

Such was the beginning of the present pastorate. McMa- hon's creek then numbered about forty members. It counts at the present date (1879) some cighty communicants.

The original house of worship stood about half a mile east of Warnock's station, Baltimore & Ohio railroad. John Warnock, Sr., was principally concerned in its erection. It was built in 1828, of brick, was quite old fashioned in its construction and internal arrangements. Dimensions 50x30x12. The neat and commodious house of worship now occupied by the congrega- tion, was built in 1871, and dedicated in June of that year. It is beautifully and substantially built of brick, near Warnock's station, Belmont county, Ohio. Dimensions, 58x40x20. Cost, $3,500.

I will close by mentioning what will no doubt be regarded as a remarkable circumstance-that all the pastors of this church, five in number, arc alive at this date, a period of fifty-two years having passed since the installation of the first, Dr. Closkey, in 1827.

[The above has been prepared by the pastor, W. S. Moffatt. ]

WEST BROOKLYN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

It had long been the desire of many in the vicinity of War- nock's station, Belmont county, that there should be a place of worship at that point, where the ordinances of religion could be enjoyed. The first decided step toward carrying out this desire was taken in January, 1871, when a meeting of those especially interested was held at the house of Joseph Boggs, Sr., and a committee appointed to secure subscriptions for the erection of a house of worship. It being the memorial year of the Presby- terian church, liberal subscriptions were made to this object in various churches in the Presbytery, especially in the congrega- tion of St. Clairsville, The effort being successful in securing 'means, a meeting was held in May, at which time a site was selected and a building committee appointed, with instructions to go forward and erect a suitable church edifice. The corner- stone of this church was laid on the 4th of July, 1871, with ap- propriate ceremonies, and the work carried on till its comple- tion on the 1st of February, 1872. It was solemnly dedicated to the worship of the Triune God, February 6, 1872, on which oc- casion nearly one thousand dollars were subscribed, and the en- tire debt on the building liquidated. Its total cost, including the value of the ground, the furnishing of the house, &c., was not far from three thousand dollars.

While this house of worship was in progress of erection, a request was sent up to the Presbytery of St. Clairsville that a a committee should be appointed to visit this place, and if the way be clear, to organize a Presbyterian church, This commit- tec, consisting of Revs. R. Alexander, S. H. Wallace, W. Gaston and Messrs. William Chambers and C. C. Workman, met with the people, after due notice had been given, in the new church building on the 5th day of February, 1872, at 2 P. M., and were constituted with prayer by the chairman. The object of the

397

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES

meeting was then stated, and the following persons presented themselves and requested to be organized into a church : Wm. Parks and Mrs. Mary Parks, Joseph Boggs and Mrs. Rebecca I. Boggs, and Miss Mary Boggs, with certificates from the church of St. Clairsville ; Joseph Hutchison, Mrs. Eliza Hutchison, Mrs. James Mathews, John Workman, Mrs. E. J. Workman and Hiram C. Workman, with certificates from the church of Con- cord, and Mrs. Elizabeth Irwin for examination. The certifi- cates being found in order and the examination being sustained and the person baptized, the organization was completed by electing to the eldership, Messrs. John Workman and Josiah Boggs, Jr. Having signified their acceptance, they were or- dained to this office and installed, Rev. R. Alexander proposing the constitutional questions, Rev. S. H. Wallace making the or- daining prayer and charging the elders and Rev. Wm. Gaston, the people. West Brooklyn was chosen as the name of the church. The meeting then closed with prayer.

For one year the church was supplied by the Presbytery, since which time Rev. James Day has been preaching to them as a supply. The total membership at present is 119.

THE JACOBSBURG M. E. CHURCH.

Rev. Hall organized this society, which numbered 14 mem- bers in 1850. Services were held in a frame building which had been built by the citizens of Jacobsburg and surrounding coun- try. This building was used by the society until the year 1869, when the congregation had grown in wealth and numerical strength sufficient to erect a neat brick edifice 40x55, on ground donated by James Ramsey. After its completion the church was dedicated by Rev. Dr. Pershing, of Pittsburgh, assisted by the minister in charge at that time, Rev. David Gordon. Rev. Darby is officiating as minister at present. The membership is about 100. The officers of the church are as follows: Class Leaders-Adam DeLong, Wm. T. Taylor, T. J. Rowels. Trus- tees-Henry Neff, Allen Ramsey, P. H. Hefflebringer, Simon White. Stewards-R. M. Dent, Henry Neff, Aaron Ramsey.

An interesting Sabbath school is conducted under the super- intendency of Simon White. This school has an attendance of 75 scholars.

BETHEL M. E. CHURCH.

This building, which was erected in 1829-30, was situated on section 28, near the banks of McMahon's creek, in Smith town- ship. The society was organized about the time of the erection of the house, with twenty members. Being a zealous little band of workers, they accomplished much good, and their member- ship increased rapidly. The house was used by them until 1872, when their place of worship was changed to Centreville.

THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

In 1829 this society, numbering abont fifty persons, was or- ganized by Clark and Eavens, at what was called the Mercer church, about one mile and a half east of Centreville, on section 14. Here this society met for worship from time to time. In 1841 it erected a church edifice about a mile and a half north of Centreville, on section 22, and continued to worship here until 1870, when the U. P. Church building of Centreville was pur- chased, and the congregation changed to this church. The min- ister in charge is Rev. F. W. Fink. Present officers of the church are as follows :

Class Leaders-T. W. Foster and William Taylor. Steward-Alexander Porterfield.

Trustees-Josephus Lucas, C. 1. Wilson, Wm. Mayhugh, Sol- omon Myers, J. P. Lucas.

In connection with this church is a prosperous Sabbath school, with an attendance of eighty scholars. Superintendent-E. Il. Lucas.

WESLEY CHAPEL.

[PREPARED BY REV. M. L. WEEKLY.]

Methodist preaching was first introduced into the neighbor- hood where the chapel now stands, about the year 1809 or 1810, at the house of James Starr, which was the preaching place for some time.

There have been four church edifices on the lot where the present chapel is situated. The first one was erected from 1811 to 1813, of round logs, a large wooden chimney, a puncheon floor, without windows, further than the spaces between the logs dressed up a little, and paper pasted in them, which furnished

light. The seats were very rough. This served as a place of worship for quite a number of years until it became uncomfort- able. Then they built a hewed log house, quite an improve- ment on the first one, with glass windows, and other conven- iences. This was used as a place of worship until consumed by fire, and then preaching was held in various private houses, un- til they erected a small, neat frame house, which was used from thirty to forty years. This becoming dilapidated and unfit for use, was therefore taken down, and the present chapel erected on the old site, where still the voice of prayer and praise ascend to the Infinite Father. The numerical strength and the spirit- ual life of the chapel have been somewhat fluctuating, during these years as they have come and gone. At one time, I think. they numbered about one hundred and twenty members, but from deaths, removals and various other causes, became so re- duced at one time in numbers and ability that they had no preaching for two or three years, but still maintained their or- ganization.

At this remote period I might possibly name some of the men who were instrumental in securing preaching, and sustaining the church in that community. I prefer rather to name fami- lies. These were the Starrs, the Lucases, the Pryors and the Weeklys, most of whom have passed away.

Fluctuating as may have been the spiritual life and the moral force of the chapel, yet she still stands by the wayside, a centre of light and moral power, saying to the passer-by : Come in and receive the instructions of the gospel. Here many have listened to the word of life ; have been quickened by the spirit and led to a better life, and have died in the faith ; and their bodies now sleep in the cemetery by the chapel. In the resurrection there shall come forth from their graves the saved and garnered fruits of the gospel.

CONCORD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

(PREPARED BY S. H. WALLACE.)

This church was organized August 22, 1831. This organiza- tion was effected, not by Presbytery or committee of Presby- tery, as is the usual custom, but by a few of the citizens of Jacobs- burg and vicinity, under the name of the Presbyterian Church of Jacobsburg, and bore that name until sometime in the year 1833, when it was changed to Concord.

The organization was ratified by the Presbytery of Steuben- ville, in whose territory the church then was.

John L. Coulter was chairman and Robert Street secretary of the meeting of organization. Number of members, 6 males and 16 females, 22 in all. Two of these are still living in connection with the church, viz: Mrs. Hannah Hart and Mrs, Jane Watt, and so far as the writer knows, these are the only ones that are now living.

The newly organized church made arrangements for building a honse of worship in the latter part of the year of 1832, at which time the site now occupied by the church building was chosen. The ground was secured from Samuel Glover, near Centerville, and this was the cause of the change of name from Jacobsburg to Concord Church. The congregation has had two houses of worship. The first, a frame, was built in the year 1833. The present house is of brick, 60x44, was built in 1852, and $1,600 in repairs was spent on the present building in 1866. This church for a number of years after its organization was grouped with the Presbyterian Church of Morristown as a pastorate. Then for seven years with the church of Beallsville. Then for nine years with the church of Bethel. And for the last nine years of its history has supported a pastor alone; 586 have been added to the membership since its organization, 240 constitute the present membership. Three hundred and two have been added during the present pastorate. The Sabbath School now numbering 210, was organized in 1850, by W. V. Milligan, now pastor of the Ist Presbyterian Church of Cambridge, Ohio. In looking over the cktership of the church, we find that John 1. Coulter and Ephraim C. Day, were the first ruling elders chosen. Since that time Robert Street, Joseph Smith, John Gladden, Miles Hart, Sr., Samuel Cunningham, Andrew MeKelvey, Isaae Lash, James R. Gladden, Robert Watt, Samuel B. Work, C. C. Workman, William Larks, Robert Hart, Joseph MeKelvey, William Arm- strong, William Gladden and Mathew Gordon, have held the office of ruling elders in the church. Mr. Day rejected some of the leading doctrines of the church and was suspended in the year 1834. John I. Coulter, Joseph Smith, Samuel Cunningham, Samuel B. Work and William Larks, moved ont of the bounds, and were dismissed by certificate. Robert Street, John Gladden, James Gladden, Miles Hart, Sr., Andrew MeKelvey and Robert

398

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

Watt, died within the bounds, and in connection with the church. The remainder of the above named constitute the present session. A. C. Ramage, Hiram McGanghy, James Gladden, James E. Coul- ter and Miles Hart, constitute the present board of deacons. Mr. Jacob Aultfather and wife at their death left the church a legacy of near $800, which now amounts to $1,200.

The congregation has had five pastors and three stated sup- plies. Rev. Joseph Andersou served the church as stated sup- supplies from its organization. until the beginning of the year 1835. Rev. Thomas Chestnut preached as stated supplies dur- ing the year 1835. Rev. John C. Tidball was called as pastor, April 20, 1836, and served the church in that relation until some time in the year 1838. From the time of Rev. Tidball's resig- nation until Rev. Ewing was chosen pastor, which was about three years, Rev. William College served the church as stated supplies. Rev. Alexander Ewing was called as pastor, Febru- ary 15, 1841, and continued in that relation to the church until his death, which occurred March 25, 1849. William M. Grimes, now Dr. Grimes, of the First church of Steubenville, was called as pastor, August 24, 1850, and continued in that relatiou until the April meeting of Presbytery, 1856, when the relation was dissolved so he might accept a call given him from the church of Cadiz. Rev. Samuel Mahaffey was called pastor of the church, September 29, 1857, and continued pastor until the April meet- ing of Presbytery, 1861. Rev. Samuel H. Wallace (present pas- tor) began his labors in said congregation as stated supplies, on the third Sabbath in August, 1861; was ordained and in- stalled pastor, April 22, 1862. The congregation has been one of gradual growth, the most extensive revivals in its history were those occurring in March, 1868, and January, 1872.

The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of Concord church was organized January, 1872; has numbered one hundred mem- bers and upwards since its organization. For the first six years of their existence they sustained a Bible reader in Lahone, India. At this time they are supporting the same woman and helping in the support of Miss Happer in China. Miss Rebecca D. Scat- terdy, who was treasurer of said society at the time of her death, which occurred December 26, 1875, deserves a special notice in the history of said society. She bequeathed $500, money she made by teaching, to the parent society at Philadelphia. This money was equally divided between Brirnt Seminary, Syria, and our Woman's Mission Home at San Francisco. There is also a society of young men, organized for the cause of domestic missionary work.

CENTERVILLE M. E. CHURCH.

The following letter concerning this church has been received from Rev. M. L. Weekly, an early minister of that congrega- tion, who is now located at Berlin, Pa. :

" The Centerville M. E. church took its rise and commenced its life and history about two miles east of the village in the house of one Darins Fisher, or rather in different private houses. The date I cannot give precisely, but think it was from 1815 to 1819.

"After some time they erected a hewed log house on the farm of the said Darius Fisher, who obligated himself to make a deed to the trustees for the use of the M. E. Church. The deed, how- ever, was to be made by his father-in-law, Edward Mercer, from whom he had purchased the land. Some difficulty arising out of the " radical movement," the deed was demanded, and reluct- antly given. Then the deed was committed to the care of one Ellis Mercer to be taken to the county recorder, but never reached the recorder's office.

"This poiut gained, then quite a number of the members-per- haps a majority-seceded from the M. E. Church, and organized a Methodist Protestant church and took possession of the meet- ing house. The said meeting house has long since disappeared and only the graveyard remains in the forks of the road, east of Centerville, to tell its history.

"Those who were loyal to the old church worshiped in the house of Mr. John Beal until they erected a hewed log house on the farm of the said Beal. Here in this house the Word of Life was preached, and for many years the people waited and wor- shiped, believed and trusted in God ; and at her altars many were saved and brought into the church. Finally it was thought ad- visable to leave the old Beal meeting house and build in Center- ville. Here they have battled, and the modest, neat frame house in Centerville is the centre of light and moral power, of truth and spiritual life, and may they long live to do good ser- vice for Christ and humanity.

"The original families comprising the M. E. Church in that

community were the Mercers, the Matsons, the Fishers, the Cal- verts, the Beals, with others. The Mercers, the Matsons, and Fishers were all related to each other aud quite numerous. These all went with the " radicals" and used the old house.

"The Beal and Calvert families, with others of less note, re- mained in the M. E. Church and had preaching in the house of the said John Beal.

"I have not given dates, because I could not do so accurately, from the fact that I had to rely on memory. I believe, however, that their secession from the M. E. Church took place from the year 1825 to 1827. I so think from the fact that the general se- cession of the M. P. Church culminated in the year 1828."

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN WARNOCK .- In 1767, near Winchester, Va., our subject was born. When a child he was kept in the fort at Wheeling for some time. In abont 1796 or 1797, he married Isabella Gilk- ison, of Virginia. In 1804, he, with his wife and four children, migrated to Belmont county, Ohio, and settled in section eleven, Smith township, one-half mile below where Warnock's station is now located, on McMahon's creek. They lived in a little log cabin a short time until a larger and better one could be erected, into which they moved and lived for several years, when they erected a frame house. (The same building is now occupied by John McNiece, Esq., as a dwelling house.) Living there until in 1831, he built the brick dwelling on section twelve, now owned by his son, Robert Warnock, where they spent the re- mainder of their days. He died in 1840; his wife in 1847. He erected the first saw mill on McMahon's creek in 1806, and built a fulling mill on the creek in 1813 or 1814. A few years later he put carding, spinning and weaving machines in his factory, which was in operation until recently. He reared a family of ten children, viz. : William, John, James, Robert, Jane, Rebecca, Mary, Isabel, Sarah and Ruth. The daughters are all deceased, except Rebecca, who is living in Monroe county, Ohio.

J. W. PHILLIPS, son of William Phillips, one of the pioneers of Belmont, was born in this county in the year 1836. Being raised on a farm, he has followed that occupatiou during life. He was born on the property which he now owns, in Smith township, on the line of the Bellaire and Southwestern railway, near Jacobsburg. The farm consists of 195 acres, is an elevated and beautiful location, and is in a good state of cultivation with excellent improvements. Mr. Phillips was married to Margaret A., daughter of Simon White, of Belmont county, in the year 1860. .

WILLIAM WARNOCK, SEN., a son of the John Warnock, de- ceased, was born in Ohio county, West Va., near Wheeling, in 1801. In 1804 he was brought to Belmont county, Ohio, by his father, as above mentioned. Received a common school educa- tion. In 1813 or 14 he commenced work in his father's fulling mill and woolen factory, working under instructions until in 1817. Then he took charge of the factory, operating it success- fully until in 1832. At this time he engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued until 1834, when he sold his stock of goods and purchased the mill property and farm at Warnock station, where he is now living, operating the grist mill and farming. In 1828 he married Jane Polkin. They reared a family of ten children : three sons and seven daugh- ters ; two sons and three daughters are living. His wife died in 1871. He married Nancy Dunn, March 24th, 1874.

ROBERT WARNOCK, the youngest son of John Warnock, de- ceased, was born in Smith township, Belmont county, in 1820. He was reared a farmer. His education was obtained in the common schools of those days. In 1847 he married Nancy McNiece, daughter of James McNiece. They settled on his father's farm, where they are now living. The house in which they are living was built of brick, by his father in 1831. They have a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. He follows farming as his vocation.

JOHN MATHEWS, a native of Ireland, was born in 1787, and was brought to America by his father, Thomas Mathews, who emi- grated in 1789, first locating iu the State of Delaware, and then in Chester county, Pa., where our subject grew to manhood. IIe served an apprenticeship at the wagon maker trade, and en-

399

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

gaged in business at his trade in Maryland for two years. In 1808 he married Esther Brown, of English descent, born in 1787. In 1811 he migrated with his family to Burgettstown, Washington county, Pa., and in 1816 came to Belmont county, entering the northeast quarter of section 24, Smith township. He built a cabin, made some improvements, and in 1819 re- turned to Washington county, Pa. In 1830 he removed back to his land in Belmont county, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. They had three children, viz: Eli B., Eliza, and Sarah. The latter died February 5th, 1842, aged 21 years and 6 months. Mr. Mathews died in November, 1850 ; his wife survived him till November 9th, 1868.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 138

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