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 83
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 83
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During Dr. Young's pastorate the following persons were ad- mitted to the office of the eldership in the congregation : John Brown, Joseph Maholin and Thomas M. Nichol in 1842; Isaac Taggart, June 1843 ; Thomas Duffand, Solomon Bently, Sep- tember 11, 1856 and Samuel Griffin.
The congregation enjoyed a great degree of prosperity during the fifteen years of Dr. Young's pastorate. It was characterized by a healthy, steady growth, and was a power of good in the community.
The congregation was again vacant for about two years. During this interim the Union of the Associate and Associate Reformed Churches was consummated at the City Hall, Pitts- burgh, Pa., on Wednesday, May 26, 1858. Since that date this congregation is known as the United Presbyterian Church of St. Clairsville.
In the carly part of the year 1859, the congregation called the Rev. J. B. Johnston, D. D., who was installed and entered upon his.pastorate in June following.
Dr. Johnston was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1802. He entered Jefferson College in 1823. But graduated from Franklin College, Ohio, in 1829. Studied theology under Drs. Bruce and Black and was licensed by the Pittsburgh Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in 1832. In June, 1834, he was ordained to the office of the ministry and settled in Geneva, Ohio. He labored in that field for twenty-five years. His labors as a pastor were largely blessed; He was also chiefly instrumental in founding Geneva College and Geneva Female Seminary, with which institution he was connected for several years. He also instructed a class of theological students. In all these multiplied labors his pastoral work was carried on, and the congregation under his eare grew and prospered.
In the month of June following, the Union of the Associate and Associate Reformed Churches he severed his relation with the R. P. Church and connected with the Presbytery of Sidney of the United Presbyterian Church ; and in June 1859, was in- stalled pastor of St. Clairsville congregation by the Presbytery of Wheeling. During his pastorate the following persons were installed ruling elders in the congregation : William Stewart and Humphrey Alexander, June 21, 1860 ; Robert Kerr, Sr. and James Gordon, May 13, 1867.
This pastorate continued for fifteen years. It was an event- ful one, and eminently successful. The congregation suffered much during the war of the rebellion. A number left the church for political reasons. Many young men entered the army-some never to return. But notwithstanding these re- verscs, the congregation grew and soon regained its former nu- merical strength. Dr. Johnston resigned his charge of the con- gregation in the spring of 1874. He left it well organized and in good working order. The congregation was again vacant for nearly one year.
In November, 1874, the present pastor, Rev. Thomas Balph, was called. He was born in Butler county, Pa., received his literary training at the Butler Academy and Witherspoon In- stitute. Was admitted to the study of theology in 1859, by the presbytery of Butler. Entered the Seminary of Allegheny in November, 1861. Graduated in March, 1874. Accepted a call to the congregation of Mt. Prospect, in the presbytery of Chartiers, and was ordained and installed by that presbytery September 30, 1864. This charge was demitted the last Sabbath of April, 1874, and on the first Sabbath of April, 1875, he took charge of the St. Clairsville congregation. The history of this pastorate is yet to be written.
On June 12, 1875, the following persons were ordained and installed Ruling Elders: Samuel M. Thompson, John B. Mc- Mcehan, Robert E. Giffen and John A. Clark.
This congregation has had an existence for at least forty-eight years. It has had four pastors, all of whom are yet living. Twenty-two persons have exercised the office of Ruling Elder. Its present Session consists of John Stewart, Isaac Taggart, Sol- omon Bently, Samuel Giffen, James Gordon, Samuel M. Thomp- son, John B. McMechan, Robert E. Giffen and John A. Clark. The church property is vested in a Board of Trustec, consisting of three members, elected annually.
237
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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.
The Woman's Missionary Society of the congregation was organized thirty years ago-has now a membership of eighty, meets monthly, and last year contributed $161.
The Sabbath School embraces the whole congregation, parents and children-the number of children enrolled is 140, and the contributions of the school the past year amounted to $201. There are organized one weekly and six monthly prayer meet- ings. The present membership of the church is 164; and the total amount contributed the past year was $1,821.
The following persons have entered the ministry from this congregation or are in a course of preparation for the ministry : Rev. A. D. Clark, D.D., August 12, 1846; Rev. T. P. Dysart, April 16, 1863; Rev. S. R. Frazier, June 11, 1867; Rev. D. A. Duff, June 15, 1869; Rev. R. B. Stewart, November 1, 1871; Rev. John Giffen, January 26, 1875. Messrs. J. R. Frazier and D. C. Stewart were, April 11, 1879, licensed as probationers for the Gospel Ministry ; and Mr. J. K. Giffen has been for one year under the care of presbytery as a student of theology.
From the membership of this church the following persons have been, or are now laboring in the Foreign Mission field in Egypt : David R. Johnston, M. D., medical missionary, and wife, returned to this country in 1875 after an absence of seven years. Miss Eliza F. Johnston, who labored in Egypt about eight years, and who has been home on a furlough for a year and a half, expects to return within a month. The Rev. John Giffen went out in the Spring of 1875, and is still in the field doing efficient service.
Thus it will be seen that this congregation has contributed something to every department of the church's work.
Its growth has not been rapid nor spasmodic, but steady and permanent ; and it is still in the full strength of its manhood, and, by the blessing of God, may do still greater things for the advancement of that Kingdom, "which shall never be moved."
Much might be said of the members of this church in the way of biography. They were identified with every good work per- taining to the material, social and educational interests of Bel- mont county, especially in the vicinity of St. Clairsville ; but as this does not strictly pertain to a history of the congregation, we forbear.
ILISTORY OF THIE M. E. CHURCH, ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO. BY REV. J. II. CONKLE.
In writing the local history of any M. E. church many diffl- culties are to be met, not the least of which is the connectional character of that church. A local church has been connected primarily with a large circuit, in early times including frequent- ly whole counties. To this, St. Clairsville is no exception. The Presiding Elder's district was even more wide-spreading, cover- ing territory now occupied by one or more annual conferences. The early preachers of Methodism were primarily and princi- pally Evangelists. This was a wise arrangement, as the scanty populations were to be followed into their widely-separated hamlets and cabins, to be saved, and organized into churches. These churches grew by and by into stations and self-support- ing circuits. This history may be characterized prior to 1835, as much a narrative of Belmont county Methodism as of the church of St. Clairsville. Indeed, it necessarily includes the southern half of Harrison county. It is probable that only for brief periods does it include Barnesville and its immediate sur- roundings, This record has been compiled from the general minutes up to 1824; and since that date from the official records of the Quarterly Conference, accurately and neatly kept by the late John C. Tallman and Stephen Gressinger, Esqs.
It is probable that Belmont county was not visited by Methodist preachers prior to 1800, may be not till 1802; but to preserve the symmetry of the history, it may be necessary to remember that Ohio cirenits first appear on the minutes in 1787. Redstone, west of the Allegheny mountains, precedes it it by two years, and Pittsburgh and Clarksburgh almost imme- diately succeed it. In 1793, Washington, Pa., appears on the minutes, with Samnel Hitt and Ephram Chambers as preachers, who probablyy visited the small settlements about Wheeling. Ohio circuit embraced any settlements in this territory prior to the organization of the West Wheeling circuit, and Methodist ecclesiastical events occurring on this eirenit, are proper sub- jects of record in any history of this church. Holding, as we do, that Methodism had no existence in this county prior to 1800, we omit the names of the preachers prior to 1799, when Jesse Stoneman and Thomas Haymond were appointed to serve on the Ohio circuit-the latter dying June 13, 1799, aged 35 Years.
1800-Jos. Rowen, John Cullison.
1801-Benj. Essex, Jos. Hall; membership 521.
1802-The West Wheeling circuit first appears on the minutes within the bounds of the Pittsburgh District, with the renown- ed Thornton Fleming, as P. E. and Jos. Hall as preacher ; mem- bership 394,
1803-John Cullison.
1804-Lasley Matthews.
1805-John West, Eli Town.
1806 -- D. Stephens, A. Daniels.
1807-Wm. Knox, James Reiley, J. G. Watt.
1808-R. R. Roberts, Benedict Burgess. Later the former of these became an eminent preacher, and was one of the bishops of his church.
1809 .- West Wheeling Circuit is found in the Western Con- ference, with Jacob Young and Thomas Church as preachers. During this year we commence to move among the certainties of local Methodist history. It is remembered by Major Thomp- son and others that Jesse Parks and Jacob Myers were reputa- ble local preachers, and frequently preached earlier than 1809. On July 19, of that year, Vachel Hall, Henry Mozier, Henry Johnston, Robert Dent and Joseph Harris bought, as trustees, from Joseph Hedges, the lot now known as the Methodist Cem- etery, on which they erected in the autumn of that year, for those days, a large frame church, with gallery facing the pulpit. Of probable cost and time of dedication, we have neither record nor tradition.
1810 -- Jacob Young, Wm. Lambdin-both of whom were famous preachers; membership, 810.
1811-Wm. Lambdin, M. Ellis.
1812-Restored to Baltimore Conference ; John Clingham.
1813-Connected with Ohio Conference, and having the fam- ous James B. Findley as preacher, to whom Ohio owes very much for his untiring efforts in christianizing the new civiliza- tion then springing up in our state.
1814-Barnesville and West Wheeling -- J. B. Findley, M. Ellis.
1815-West Wheeling -- Abel Robertson, M. Ellis.
1816-Archibald MeElroy.
1817-William Knox.
1818-It is likely this year St. Clairsville was included in Barnesville Circuit, and had Cornelius Springer and Bennett Dowler as preachers, the former becoming famous in the seces- sion of the M. P. Church in 1828, and dying within the present decade at Zanesville, Ohio.
1819-Wm. Cunningham, Joseph Carper.
1820-West Wheeling reappears on the Ohio District, Wm. Swayze, P. E .; Jacob Young, T. R. Ruckle, preachers; mem- bership, 901.
1821-John Graham, Zarah H. Costin, still living, in Iowa.
1822-James McMahon, William Cunningham.
1823-John Graham, Samuel R. Brockunier.
1824-John McMahon, John Walker. During this year the Pittsburgh Conference was organized, and this section was in- cluded, and so continued until the East Ohio was organized in September, 1876. Among the famous preachers who served this District as Presiding Elders from its Methodist Ecclesiastical organization to 1824 may be named Valentine Cook, David Hitt, Thornton Fleming, James Quinn, Jacob Young, David Young- these were brothers, I believe-James B. Findley, Wm. Swayze, John Waterman, to whom it is said congregations would pa- tiently listen for an hour and a half standing in snow ankle deep, as one of our citizens testifies. It seems from the General Minutes that Thornton Fleming and Jacob Young were Presid- ing Elders in this section at least fourteen years, and had much to do in laying the strong foundations on which we build so permanently to-day.
From this date we are indebted to the records of the Quarterly Conference for our knowledge of the Methodism of this section. West Wheeling Cirenit in 1827, had the following appoint- ments : St. Clairsville, Liston's, Mt. Pleasant, Harrisville, Stier's, Athens, R. Dickerson's, Thompson's, Haines', Cadiz. McCoy's, Eaton's, Matson's Pipe Creek, Kinsey's, Burrow's, Scott's, Smith's. The following members of Quarterly Con- ference were present January 24, 1824 : John Walker and John McMahon, preachers; James Roberts, W. B. Evans, Edward Mercer, and David Mercer, local preachers : Samuel Davis, John Inff, John Sampson, John Huffman and Thos. Thompson, ex- horters ; Thos. Dunn, Stiers Lowry, Thos. Dickerson, Lancelot Herron, Jas. Hutton, Phineas Inskeep, Abner Burris and Peter Lady, as stewards and leaders. These were the days when quarterly meeting was an epoch, and attended as the District
238
HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.
Conference of to-day. The people were poor, as witness the contributions to the support of the Gospel during the quarter, $69,83}. The following were members of the Quarterly Con- ference, not mentioned in the former list, who were enrolled in 1827 : Jacob Calbert, Vachel Ilall, Joshua Robinson, Ebenezer Liston, Philip Darby, R. E. Carothers, local preaches; Moses Starr, Charles Magill, Matthew Thoburn, John Beal, John War- field, John Huff, William Weekly, exhorters; Matthew Simp- son, Sr., Alex. Armstrong, Robert Dent, Geo. Brown, Zach. Smith, stewards ; Andrew Scott, Eli Matson, John Poulson, John Covert, leaders.
The following preachers have been Presiding Elders over this District, of which this congregation formed a part, from 1824 to 1879 :
1824-27-William Lambdin.
1828-Daniel Limerick.
1829-31-Joshua Monroe.
1831-35-Wesley Browning.
1836-39, '44, '46-Samuel R. Brockunier-a man of giant mould, irrepressible fun, who lives in the memory of multi- tudes, and of whom innumerable anecdotes are related.
1839-41-Robert Hopkins, who almost attained the highest place in his church, and who now lives in honored old age, at Sewickley, Pa.
1841-43-Edward Taylor.
1845-John Spencer-a little later a pioneer missionary to Oregon, where he still lives, a veteran of near 90 years.
1847-Wesley Kenney.
1848-51-Gideon D. Kinnear.
1852-54-55-John Coil.
1853-James G. Sanson.
1855-59-John W. Baker.
1859-63-John Moffit.
1863-67-James L. Deens.
1867-71-James S. Bracken.
1871-75-Sylvester Burt,
1875-79-Jos. M. Carr.
The following is the list of pastors from 1824 to 1879, with items of interest :
1823-Wm. Lambdin, Wm. Knox.
1824-John Chandler, I find that my authorities differ as to the pastorate in 1823-24.
1825-Simon Lauck, Charles Thorn; preacher's house pur- chased by order of Quarterly Conference, held April 29, 1826, for $60-a very poor or a very cheap one.
1826-Daniel Limerick, James Moore.
1827-S. R. Brockunier, Thomas M. Hudson-still living, a veteran of 80 years, Whole amount contributed for the sup- port of the ministry this year. $249.22.
1828-T. M. Hudson, Wm. Tipton.
1829-Thomas J. Taylor, N. Callender.
1830-Wm. Knox, Thomas Drummond-died later as a mis- ionary in Missouri.
1831-P. M. McGowan, Jas. Mills. Membership on circuit, 611. At St. Clairsville, 83. 1832-J. P. Kent, N. Callender.
1833-David C. Merryman-died at St. Clairsville, October 13, 1835-W. C, Henderson.
At a Quarterly Conference held at New Athens, May 18, 1833, we note the following record : "Matthew Simpson,, Jr., upon the recommendation of his class, was liscensed to preach and also recommended to the Pittsburgh Annual Conference, as a suitable person to be received on trial into the Traveling Con- nection." He has since become the famous divine ; and from 1852 has been one of the Bishops of the M. E. Church. It is worthy of record, that on Tuesday evening, May 20, 1879, ac- companied by Bishop Harris, he visited the M. E. Church in St. Clairsville, and preached a never-to-be-forgotten discourse. Francis A. Dighton was also appointed to this work in 1833, and died in St. Clairsville, December 26, 1838, and with D. C. Merryman, sleep in the Methodist Cemetery, side by side with Revs. W. K. Foutch and J. C. Taylor.
St. Clairsville was set off as a separate congregation, October 25, 1834, at a Quarterly Conference held at Pipe Creek Church, and F. A. Dighton appointed as pastor. Amount contributed for the support of the Gospel by this congregation in 1833, $494.082. During this year the second Church-a commodious brick edifice-was built. Michael Carroll, Peter Hulse, Eli Wells, R. E. Carothers, Matthew Thoburn, James Arick, Rob- inson Baker, Wm. Wilkins and George Shipman, bought, as trustees, from Joseph A. Ramage and Sterling Johnston, lots on which the church is now located, for $210.00. This Church was dedicated to the worship of God by Rev. John Waterman, in the carly winter of that year.
1834-Edward Smith-later the famous anti-slavery advocate seceding to the Weslyan Church. Primise Jones received as sexton this year $30.00.
1835-Cornelins D. Battelle.
1836 .- James C. Merryman. This year St. Clairsville was organized into a circuit, with two or more congregations, re- maining so most of the time until 1860.
1837-James Drummond-now a veteran of eighty years, re- siding at Cadiz, O.
1839-S. R. Brockunier.
1840-Charles Thorn.
1841-Edward Berkett.
1842-I. N. Baird-since editor of Pittsburgh Christian Advo- cate, now the veteran P. E. of Blairsville District, Pittsburgh Conference.
1843-David Trueman.
1844-David Trueman and Jos. Montgomery. Sunday school numbered 119.
1845-47-Jos. Montgomery, M. A. Ruter.
1847-L. Petty, C. H. Jackson.
1848-L. Petty and W. A. Davidson.
1849-Pardon Cook, W. A. Davidson.
1850-Pardon Cook, J. J. MeIllyar.
1851-Jas. Henderson, J. J. Melllyar.
1852-James Henderson.
1853-J. M. Rankin.
1854-W. C. P. Hamilton,
1855-57-Joseph Woodroffe.
1857-59-S. Y. Kennedy.
1859-A. D. McCormick.
1860-J. L. Deens.
1861-63-Jos. M. Carr.
1863-W. K. Foutch, who died Angust 11, 1864, aged 27 years. Supplied this and succeeding year by J. C. Taylor, J. M. Tho- burn, W. K. Marshall and Dr. H. W. Baker,
1865-Edward Ellison.
1866-70-John Grant,
1870-73-W. F. Lanck.
1873-76-John D. Vail,
1876-78-B. F. Beazelle.
1878-J. H. Conkle, present pastor.
The historian needs write no eulogy on these men; few of them are known to the present generation of St. Clairsville Methodists, but their record is on high.
During the pastorate of Rev. John Grant, the building of the present commodious and handsome church was inaugurated. It was carried to completion by Rev. W. F. Lauck, at a cost of a $11,500. The church free of debt is the monument of these men, and the equally noble laymen, and self-sacrificing women, who assisted. It was dedicated January 14, 1872, after able sermons by Rev. Drs. I. C. Pershing and C. A. Holmes, of Pittsburgh, Pa. Under the pastorate of Rev. B. F. Beazelle, a convenient parsonage was purchased from Hon. L. Danford, for $1,800, to replace one burned some years before. The church now owns property estimated as worth $12,000.
This church has been visited with several historic revivals. One in 1835, under the pastorate of Rev. Edward Smith, result- ed in over 100 accessions, a number of whom are still pillars in the church-but most have fallen asleep. The pastorate of Rev. S. Y. Kennedy was also successful in building up the church. During the winter of 1864-'5, after the death of Rev. W. K. Foutch, in charge of Rev. J. C. Taylor, and assisted by Rov. J. M. Thoburn-then on vacation from his work in India-and Rev. W. K. Marshall, of Bellaire, there were over 100 accessions, but owing to the transfer of their pastor to Kansas, these acces- sions were uncared for, and resulted in but little permanent strength to the church. During the winter of 1879, under the pastorate of Rev. J. H, Conkle, there were 136 accessions and over 100 conversions. The present membership numbers, in- cluding 129 probationers, 400.
The Sunday School, the vigorous and aggressive arm of the church, has an enrollment of a little over 200, with an average of 153. It is equipped with a new, fresh library, black-boards, singing books, &c., and meets in newly papered and neatly car- peted rooms. It is organized into an efficient missionary so- ciety.
This church has sent out some men and women of note, and marked usefulness. Among these, it will not be regarded invid- ious to mention Rev. J. M. Thoburn, D. D., and his sister, Belle M., who labor in the Indian Mission field.
There is also a marked liberality in this congregation, paying for ministerial support in 1878, $1,240; Missions, $234; other beneficiaries, $163.
239
HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.
PRESENT CHURCH OFFICERS.
Trustees-Amos Fawcett, Robert Pogue, Benjamin Barkhurst, Cephas Carroll, Israel Lewis, W. J. Thompson, F. D. Bailey, A. H. Mitchell, W. A. Hunt.
Stewards-George Brown, H. C. Welday, A. T. McKelvy, James Young, Joseph H. Close, Thomas C. Fawcett, John S. Close, Wm. W. McMonies.
Class Leaders -- J. S. Close, F. D. Bailey, C. Gummerie, G. Brown, J. H. Close, A. T. McKelvy.
Sunday School Superintendent-A. T. McKelvy.
President W. F. M. S-Mrs. Cephas Carroll.
President of Home Missionary Society-Mrs. W. A. Hunt.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES AND NOTES.
HON. BENJAMIN RUGGLES .- United States Senator and second President Judge of the Third Circuit of Ohio, was born at Wood- stock, Windham county, Connecticut, February 21, 1782. This town was originally named Roxburry. His father was a farmer in moderate circumstances, who intended that his son should be educated for the ministry. This intention was thwarted by the loss of his property. He became surety for a neighbor and by the default of the latter his means were all swept away. He died when Benjamin was eight years old, leaving his family in straightened circumstances. Benjamin studied at the Brooklyn Academy, and after his graduation from this institution he read law with Judge Peters, of Hartford, Connecticut, and was ad- mitted to the bar of that city. In 1807 he moved to Ohio, set- tling in Marietta, Washington county, where he pursued with great success the practice of his profession. His profound learn- ing, his skill and care as a counsellor, his power for rapid analy- zation and conclusive argument, at once commanded not only professional but public attention, and he carved his way quickly to the front rank of the jurists of the day. In 1810 he he was elected by the Republicans in the Legislature to succeed Calvin Peas as President Judge of the Third Circuit, and was the second incumbent of that judicial office. Shortly after he moved from Marietta to St. Clairsville, and in the year 1812 he went to Connecticut, where he was married and brought his wife to Ohio. She died in 1817 and in 1825 he was again married. He lacked the gifts of an orator and failed to make that impression of sub- stantial ability as successfully in open court as in chambers. He was not distinguished as an advocate, but as a consulting attor- ney he had, perhaps, few superiors in the country. In 1815 he was elected by the Legislature to the United States Senate and resigned the office of Judge after having ably filled it for five years to enter upon his new duties. Being very popular with his large constituency in Ohio he was twice re-elected to the United States Senate, and during his career in that body heren- dered valuable if not brilliant services both to his state and the nation. He was president of the caucus held in Washington that nominated William H. Crawford, of Georgia, for the Presi- dency at the time when Clay, Adams aud Jackson were in the field. At that period Martin Van Buren and Judge Ruggles were political friends ; and quite an extensive correspondence was carried on between them during the campaign. The Judge was for a long time Chairman of the Committee on Claims in the United States Senate, and was favorably spoken of in 1840 for the Vice Presidency, being strongly supported by several journals throughout the country. When fifty years of age he retired from political life and gave his attention to his farm, and more especially to the cultivation of fruit, He was instrumen- tal in introducing to the growers of that section some of the choicest varieties.
For a time after the expiration of his last term as Senator, he was president of the bank of St. Clairsville. He died after a brief illness at his residence at that place on September 2, 1857. Judge Ruggles enjoyed in an eminent degree the confidence of the Senate, and was greatly respected in his professional and private carcer. He was a firm believer in the great truthis of of Christianity, and exerted wherever he went, or wherever he was known, an excellent moral influence. He was liberal in his views and generous in his impulses, and contributed to the ad- vancement of all worthy improvements in the interests of the well-being of his fellow citizens. When he died the state lost an able man and society a beloved member.
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