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 93

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 93
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 93

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).

"At a little after six o'clock in the evening the train returned safe and sound to Bellaire, and everybody, as they alighted from the cars, united in saying that they had a very delightful excur- sion, and in wishing the Bellaire and Southwestern Narrow Gauge all sorts of good luck in the future."

SCHOOLS.

The educational facilities of Bellaire are excellent. In fact, from a very early day in its history the educational interest as well as the religions training attracted the deepest attention. The enterprising citizens of the place recognized this fact, that, where moral and religious training was inculcated, there abound- ed law and order. In the fall of 1839, a small school building of frame was erected for school purposes on Pultney street, next door to the first M. E. church. The building is still standing and occupied by A. Rinker as a residence, who refitted and en- larged it. Among the first teachers were a Jacob Davis, - Lions, Blackford, Vincent Milligan, Thomas Munnell; (who oc- casionally preached to the Disciples) and Richard Merrill. The first move of the school house was to the corner of Belmont and Fifth, now Thirty-fifth streets. In 1860 the school board pur- chased the building which had been built by the firm of Russell, Marvin & Richardson, in 1856, for a shoe factory. School was conducted in that building until 1871, when the elegant and commanding union school building was completed. This one stands immediately west of the site of the old one, on the same square. W. J. Yost was the architect. The dimensions of this structure are 85x90, is three stories high, with mansard roof, tower and town clock. The cost, independent of furniture, was $21,000. The school levy made for 1870 was $9,317.94. The first faculty in 1871, was: Principal -R. S. Page ; Misses J. Greenlee, M. B. Gorby, A. Birdsong, M. Cratty, Mrs. M. F. Har- ton, Misses A. Cunningham, E. Evans, E. S. Martin. The school board at that time was composed of the following gentlemen : E. G. Morgan, President; J. G. Jennings, Secretary ; Josephus Gorby, Charles Henry, John Archer, John S. Cratty.

The branches taught in this building are as follows: Gram- mar, arithmetic, algebra, book-keeping, botany, physiology, phi- losophy, chemistry, geometry, triganometry, rhetoric and latin.

In 1862, there were but three teachers employed and the en- rollment did not exceed one hundred and fifty.

The present board of directors are : President, James B. Dar- rah ; Secretary, Mitchell Magall; E. G. Morgan, J. B. Smith, Dr. McCulloch and Frederick Rodewig.

This board has employed the following teachers for 1879-80 : First Ward-Room No. 1, Miss Ella Gorby ; No. 2, Miss Jen- nic McGee; No. 3, Miss Maggie Eagan ; No. 4, Geo. Wilson.

Second Ward-Room No. 1, Miss Alice Rankin : No. 2, Miss Emma Martin.

Fourth Ward-Room No. 1, Miss Alie Fitton; No. 2. Miss Mary B. Giffin ; No. 3, Miss Anna Kirkpatrick ; No. 4, Miss Lit- cy Anderson ; No. 5, Miss Violet G. Imes; No. 6, Miss Bell S. Beazle ; No. 7, Miss Alice Cunningham ; No. 8, Miss Mary B. Gorby.

Fifth Ward-Room No. 1, not elected at this writing: No. 2. Miss Ada Jones; No. 3, Miss Sally Kirkpatrick: No. 4, Miss Mary Cratty.

Colored School-John F. Hamilton.

The following shows the numeration of the city for school age : In 1870, there were 1,141; in 1872, 1,906; in 1873. 1,977 ; in 1874, 2,339 ; in 1875, 2,650; in 1876, 2,871; in 1877, 2,930; in 1878, 2,870.

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

CHURCHES.

HISTORY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

On the 27th day of August, 1860, a committee of the Presby- tery of St. Clairsville, consisting ot Revs. S. Mitchell and John Moffat, together with Ruling Elders Nelson. Thaker and Win. Workman, met and organized this church, which consisted of forty-one members, all from the Presbyterian church of Rockhill.

At the same time John S. Cratty, John M. Milligan and A. M. Anderson were chosen and installed Ruling Elders. At the same time the church was organized and incorporated under the statutes of Ohio as the First Presbyterian church of Bellaire. The year previous to the organization, the people thus organ- ized, erected a house of worship 40x64 feet, of brick, which be- coming too small tor the congregation a second house of worship was erected on the site of the former in the year 1871, which presents a fine appearance, It is 112x64 feet. The auditorium is 78x48 feet and 34 feet high. On the lower floor the main room is 48x54 feet, with two bible class and a primary class room.

The church has had three pastors, Rev. John Moffat, D. D., from January, 1861, till February, 1863; Rev. J. D. Fitzgerald, from April, 1864. till February, 1866; and Rev. Wm. Gaston, present pastor, from July, 1866. During the thirteen years of the present pastorate over seven hundred have been added to the church. The present membership is four hundred and twenty-four.

The present oldership of the church is John S. Cratty, A. W. Anderson and .1. Sheets, with Dr. J. G. McCollough, Dr. Kurtz. D. W. Cooper, Fred. H. Strong and H. C. Over, elders elect.

The Sabbath School of this church is in a highly flourishing condition, with an enrollment of 450 scholars. A. W. Ander- son, superintendent, and A. Richardson, assistant. Also a Mis- sion school of 200 scholars, with Dr. J. G. McCollough as super- intendent and G. D. Heatherington as assistant.

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHAPEL.

Previous to 1872 there were only two or three members of the Episcopal Church in Bellaire.

Up to that year only a few irregular services had been held- the very first by the Rev. J. K. Rodgers, of Steubenville, and later, a few by the Rev. Mr. Coleman, of East Liverpool,

The Rev. John Long, of Wellsville, organized this mission under the name of "Trinity Mission, Bellaire," March, 1872. The building which was used for the next six years and ten months was originally a cabinet maker's shop. It was leased for some years at an annual rent of $144. The building was remodeled, painted and plastered at a cost of $280 50.

This building is centrally located, being at the corner of of Thirty-sixth and Belmont streets.

When the mission was organized in March, 1872, eight com- municants were enrolled; and five were confirmed the following June, thirteen in all.

Mr, Long made two visits a month, and resigned his charge in March, 1873.

Rev. T. O. Tongue, of Moundsville, held services from April to September, 1873, on Sunday afternoons.

Rev. Jacob Rambo took charge of the missions on October, 1873, and has resided in the city.

A good Sunday-school has been kept up since the mission was organized. Also for several years an afternoon adult Bible Class, a Ladies' Missionary Society, and a Ladies' Sewing Circle have been maintained.

The minister has given two services on alternate Sundays to this mission and held a service on every Wednesday evening.

A lot was bought in the summer of 1878, on Noble street, north of Indian Run .. During the following fall a neat wooden building was erected upon the lot.

The audience room is 25x45 feet, with a tower in front nine feet square, and a recess chancel 8x14 feet. The style is modi- fied Gothic, with grained glass windows trimmed with stained glass.

A handsome window, a memorial of the late Rev. Edward Dormshery, of Media, Pa., adorns the chaneel, and is of stained glass.

The cost of the lot was $650 and of the building about $1,400. A small debt remains on the building, owing, principally, to the loss of funds by the failure of a bank. Our members and fellow- citizens gave liberally towards the building. Also, many

churches in Ohio, and some churches and Sunday-schools in the East.

Notwithstanding the death and removal of many communi- cants, we still have forty-eight now, July, 1879. Five adults and forty-seven children have been baptized.

We opened our new church the first Sunday in January, 1879. During the first four months in the new church the number of Sunday-school scholars in attendance averaged one hundred and the number of teachers thirteen. The morning congregations were fair.

Our oldest member is Col. Thomas H. Morris. Our Church Committee are as follows, viz: Morris V. Miller, President ; Jas. M. Rees, Thomas H. Morris, Geo. Henry, John A. Galla- gher, Treasurer, Wm. Bamtord.

Many names of zealons and liberal members of both sexes, and also of kind friends who are not yet members, might be given, but space will not permit. Ours is a work of faith and labor of love. "Hitherto the Lord hath helped us." We look to Him for future guidance. J. RAMBO, Pastor.

HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN BELLAIRE, OHIO.

BY B. S. DEAN.

The people whom this sketch represents choose to be known simply as Disciples or Christians; or, in the organic sense, as a Church of Christ. The history of the church in Bellaire divides itself naturally into four periods, viz :

1. The period prior to organizatian : (1832-40).

2. The period from the formal organization to the building of the first house of worship: (1840-46).

3: The period from the building of the first to the building of the second church edifice : (1848-1870.)

4. The period from the completion of the second house to the present time : (1870-1879).

I. The most fascinating historic periods are often the most difficult to treat properly for the want of sufficient and accurate information. No doubt their very fascination is heightened by the veil of obscurity that balf conceals them.

The history of the church in Bellaire comprises part of an ex- tended religious movement, inaugurated in the first quarter of this century by the writings and preaching of Thomas and Al- exander Campbell, Walter Scott and others. It is foreign to the purpose of this sketch, even if its necessary brevity did not for- bid it, to give any particular account of that movement. It is enough to say that it was inspired by a profound reverence for the Word of God as the sole and sufficient rule of religions faith and practice ; that it sought the union of God's divided and war- ring people on that divine foundation ; that, in the progress of half a century it has gathered on that simple basis a people now numbering more than half a million communicants ; and that, in the mean time, the whole protestant world has made long strides toward the main ends proposed by the Campbells and their co- workers.

Although the church in Bellaire was by no means one of the earliest, yet its roots go down very near the beginnings of that movement. So far as can now be ascertained, James Martin and his wife, Nancy Martin, were the first Disciples in the vicinity of Bellaire. When or where they became such is not known. They moved here about the spring of 1832, and set- tled on the hill on the spot of ground now owned and occupied by Herman Hardenstein. There was a little congregation of Disciples at Bridgeport and one in Wheeling. He soon began to hold meetings at his own house, which were attended by some of the Disciples of Bridgeport, and to which he invited his neighbors. At one of these meetings, sometime in the fall of 1832, Mrs. Thirsey Nelson made a profession of her faith, and was baptized by Charles Eucell in the Ohio river, at the lower end of Bogg's Island.

In the month of June, 1833, Thomas and Alexander Campbell conducted a grove meeting of three days at Martin's Ferry. Their eminent reputation drew great numbers to hear them wherever they went. The meeting at Martin's Ferry resulted in twelve or fifteen conversions. Among the number were Adam Long, of Bellaire, and his wife, Mary A. Long, now Mrs. Sharp. The latter is still living about a mile up Indian run.

In August of the same year, upon the invitation of Mr. Joseph Nelson, the two Campbells preached in a grove on Indian run, about half a mile from the river. There were several baptisms as a result of the meeting. One incident is worthy of preser- vation. After an opportunity had been given for a public con- fession of faith in Christ, a Mr. Milligan, who lived some miles

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back in the country, made his way through the crowd and handed Thomas Campbell a letter. Mr. Campbell, entirely un- conscious that he had ever seen the gentleman before, took the letter and read it. It proved to be a letter of dismissal from the Seeeder Church in Ireland, of which Mr. Campbell had formerly been the pastor. The letter, which was subscribed by Mr. Campbell's own hand, could not have been written less than twenty-six years before. In reply to Mr. Milligan's question whether he would receive him on that testimonial, Mr. Camp- bell replied that things had changed with him since then. Mr. Milligan had heard enough to bring about important changes in his own convictions, and was among the number baptized the same day in the Ohio river.

From that time there were frequent meetings at Mr. Martin's, Mr. Adam Long's and Mr. Joseph Nelson's.

In the spring of 1835, the family of John Archer settled on Trough Run, about two miles back of Bellaire. The family con- sisted of John Archer, Sr., and wife, Nancy Archer, their sons Benjamin F., Rudolph W., and James G. Archer, together with John Archer, Jr., and wife, Cynthia A. Archer; the last being a daughter of John Archer, Sr. All but James G. Archer, then a lad, were Disciples. The elder Archer and wife had been mem- bers of the church at Brush Run, Pa., the first congregation planted by the Campbells.

The Archers proved a valuable accession to the little band of Disciples, and gave a decided impetus to the young cause. From that time another house was open to their meetings. There was but little preaching in those days, for the preachers were few, and most of those, like Paul at Corinth, were compelled to toil with their own hands to supply their daily needs. Among those who assisted in that pioneer work were Charles Eucell, Wm. Holliday and Thomas Wilson, of Wheeling, and James Hough, of West Liberty. It was not uncommon in those pioneer days, for the Disciples of Wheeling, Bridgeport and Bellaire, to hold "swap meetings," a phrase which explains itself.

We owe many things to the sturdy generation which hewed down the dense forests and laid the foundations of so many peaceful and elegant hommes. And it is a remarkable tribute to their superior physical vigor, as well as to the strength of their religious convictions, that the women, even, often walked a dis- tance of six miles to share in the enjoyments of their little reli- gious gatherings. Near the close of this unorganized period, a meeting occurred which affords a pretty clear insight into the character of those early assemblies, and the religious suscepti- bilities of the people. Early in the summer of 1838, the Disci- ples met one Sunday at the house of John Archer, Sr., who was still living on Trough Run. There were present John Archer, Sr., Nancy Archer, John Archer, Jr., Cynthia A. Archer, Benja- min F. and Rudolph W. Archer, Thirsey Nelson, Adam Long, Mary A. Long, Ann Snedeker and Hannah Goodwin. There were also a few non-professors present, The elder Archer, who usually presided at the meetings, opened the exercises with the reading of a Psalm, and with prayer. All then nnited in a hymn of praise. Mr. Archer then read another portion of Scripture, making such remarks on it as seemed appropriate to the occa- sion. This was followed by the Lord's Supper, which has always been among the Disciples a prominent element in the worship on the Lord's day. As Mr. Archer was about to dismiss the congregation, a lady who had been an attentive observer through all the services-Mrs. Sally Ryan-bogged the privilege of con- fessing and obeying the Savior. Accordingly, after the simple but solemn profession of her faith in Christ, they repaired to the little stream just at hand, where she was baptized. And such had been the deep solemnity and tender interest pervading the little assembly, that then and there, in those groves which were "God's first temple," three others made a profession of their faith in Christ, and were baptized in that baptistry, hollowed and filled by nature's own hand. They were Wm. Snedeker, Margaret Nelson, now Mrs. Mertz, and James G. Archer. The latter, who was the youngest son of John Archer, Sr,, afterward became influential in the church, filling the office of an Elder for several years. He now resides in Columbus. Mr. Archer was a cooper. In the fall of 1838, he moved from Trough Run to the village, and built a shop on the bank of the Ohio.

The scattered Disciples had found it inconvenient, especially in inclement weather, to meet from house to house. Mr. Arch- er's cooper shop was therefore selected as the regular place of meeting. It was a small affair, only 16x24 feet. One ond pro- jected over the bank and rested on posts. Ready hands made some rude benches. On Saturday night Mr. Archer and his sons would put their cooper tools away, clean out the shavings

and move in the " pews ; " and what during the week had been a temple of toil, became on Sunday a temple of praise.

Frequent conversions and an occasional new comer continued to augment the number of the Disciples. The necessity of a formal and permanent organization began to be felt. Finally, on the 4th day of July, 1840, the church was " set in order " by the election of John Archer, Sr., and Adam Long, Elders, and John Archer, Jr., and Richard Gosney, Deacons. The follow- ing is a complete list of the original members : John Archer, Sr., Rudolph W. Archer, Benjamin Archer, James G. Archer, John Archer, Jr., Adam Long, Philip Long, Jacob Heathering- ton, Richard Gosney, Jesse Bailey, David Bates, Lewis Work- man, Elijah Workman, John A, Gallagher, James Gill, Rob- ert Russell, Ibba Starkey, Nancy Archer, Cynthia A. Archer, Mary A. Long, Thirsey Nelson, Margaret Nelson, Mary A. Rodefer, Martha Bailey, Elizabeth Bailey, Eliza Heatherington, Olive Austin, Sarah Bates, Mrs, -- Workman, Mrs. -- Gos- ney, Mary Marling, Elizabeth Marling, Rachael Marling, Eliza- beth Gallagher, Abby Rodefer, Nancy Wakefield, Joanna Wake- field, Mary Reid, Mclinda Christen, Mary Workman, Ellen Fitch.

II. Here we enter upon the second period. This period, al- though very brief, was an exceedingly important one. It was the test period of the church. Those years demonstrated to the world that the church had vital principles and elements of power. It never failed to meet on the Lord's day, to keep the Lord's Supper and engage in other acts of public worship. Only oc- casionally was there preaching. William Holliday, Charles Eucell, Thomas Wilson and James Hough continued at inter- vals to visit them.

On the 12th of March, 1841, J. H. Jones, a gifted yonng preacher from the Western Reserve, came at the call of the church to hold a meeting. The cooper shop overflowed. "Where shall I stand ?" queried the preacher. "There," said Mr. Archer, turning up a half bushel measure, "stand on that !" And from that narrow pulpit he preached the gospel with an eloquence and power that convinced the the understandings and melted the hearts of his audience. Twelve were added to the church during the meeting. Among them was a lady who had been a member of the M. E. Church. It is illustrative of the sharp controversies of the times, that her husband threatened to knock the posts from under the cooper shop and tumble both shop and congregation into the Ohio river.

In June of the same year there were five conversions under the preaching of A. P. Law. On Sunday, June 5, 1842, Alex- ander Campbell delivered a discourse in the M. E. Church on his favorite theme, "The Union of God's People." It was listened to by a large audience, and left a profound impression on the com- munity. In August following, George Lucy held a meeting of several days, which resulted in twelve additions to the church, In addition to those above mentioned, the following preachers are known to have visited the church during this period : The venerable Thomas Campbell, John Henry, distinguished as the walking Bible, J. R. Frame, M. E, Lard and Thomas Munnell. The latter, who taught school in the village one winter and preached almost his first sermon in the old cooper shop, has since for many years occupied the important position of secre- tary of the American Christian Missionary Society.

The church was rapidly outgrowing the narrow limits of the cooper shop. On Saturday, September 9, 1843, at a meeting called to consider the question, it was resolved to undertake to build a house of worship the next year; but for want of suffi- cient means the resolution was not carried into effect. In May, 1845, the church entered into an engagement with Robert Gra- ham, then a student at Bethany College, now a professor in the Kentucky University, Lexington, Ky., to preach once a month, the engagement to begin in December following.

In the spring of 1846 the work of building began in carnest. The church was not strong either in number or means. Money was exceedingly scarce. Many of the members worked on the building several weeks without pay. Mr. Graham, Rudolph W. Archer and Mr. John Gallagher collected some money abroad. At one of Mr. Graham's appointments in Pennsylvania, a brother had given him a horse; as he had no use for it himself, he generously donated it toward the building: Mr. Rudolph Archer was a remarkably fine singer. For many years he was the leader in the service of song, and one of the most active and valuable workers in the church. He went one day to St. Clairs- ville, to solicit aid of some of the lawyers there with whom he was well acquainted. Going into the court room, the lawyers gathered around him and called for a song. Yielding to their solicitations, he mounted a seat and sang the "Song of the Loco-

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

motive," beginning : " Harness me down with your iron bands." Such was his power of song that he went away with a liberal contribution from the judges and every lawyer present. At last the house was completed. It was a plain brick structure, with a seating capacity of three hundred and fifty. The opening services were conducted by Alexander Campbell and Robert Graham, on the second Sunday in December, 1846. There had been thirteen additions to the church during the previous sum - mer, under the preaching of Mr. Graham. In March, 1846, by the death of Adam Long, the church lost one of its clders. The vacancy was filled by the election of Nathan Newland. At the same time Rudolph W. Archer was elected a deacon.

Among those who came into the church while it met in the cooper shop was Jacob Heatherington, who, by his well known liberality and public spirit, has been for many years a tower of strength to the church.

III. The third period, which extends from 1846 to 1870, com- prises considerably more than one-half the organized life of the church. The church now possessed a commodious and substan- tial house, which gave it an air of permanence. From this time its success, though varied, has been assured. Of this and the succeeding period, only a brict outline will be given.

For many years but few congregations of Disciples had set- tled preachers. This was due to two causes : First, the small number of preachers; secondly, the fact they were largely en- gaged in planting new churches. Up to the year 1858, the church in Bellaire depended for its spiritual nurture on monthly preaching and such ministrations as its Elders and other mem- bers were capable of providing. For the increase in member- ship, it depended principally on the protracted meetings, held either by the stated preacher or by some one called to his assist- ance. It was, however, no uncommon thing for persons to make a public profession of their faith, when no preacher was present. Prior to 1858, the following ministers served the church with monthly preaching: Robt. Graham, Alex. Hall, J. J. Moss, L. M. Harvey and A. E. Myers. The latter preached three years, from 1855 to 1858. Near the close of his ministry, a revival occurred, which for numbers, was the most remarkable in the history of the church. The meetings began May 30, 1858, and continued five weeks. Seventy-nine were added to the church. B. F. Pirkey did most of the preaching. From 1858-60, T. V. Berry preached once in two weeks. From 1860-2, the church had only irregular supplies. During that time, J. L. Pinkerton preached six months. From 1846-62, many ministers, some of them prominent among Disciples, either preached occasional discourses, or conducted meetings. Among them were such men as Isaac Errett, A. S. Hayden, W. A. Belding, Calvin Smith, W. K. Pendleton, C. L. Loos, T. M. Allen, W. T. Moore, A. D. Fill- more, Robt. Milligan and R. R. Sloan. On the 23d, of Novem- ber, 1862, H. S. Glasier made his first visit to the church. His connection with the church merits more than a passing notice.

Mr. Glasier was a native of Bedford, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. His preparatory studies were pursued at Western Reserve Eclec- tic Institute (now Hiram College) from the year 1858 to 1862. Hon. James A. Garfield was at that time the able and popular principal. Mr. Glasier attended Bethany College the sessions of 1862-3, graduating July 4, 1863. He visited Bellaire as above mentioned November 23d, and preached once a month during the remainder of the session. In June, 1863, he was married to Miss Eliza E. Clapp of Mentor, Ohio, a lady of rare gifts of mind and superior culture. In August, 1863, he entered into an en- gagement with the church which terminated only with his life. In the previous May, Mr. Glasier and Mr. Jabez Hall of Wheel- ing, now of East Cleveland, held a very successful meeting in Bellaire. The two, who were warm personal friends, conducted another meeting in March, 1865. But the most remarkable meeting of his brief ministry occurred in May, 1866, only three months before his death. He was assisted during the meeting by H. D. Carlton, who had been a fellow student at Hiram. Some sixty-nine persons were added to the church. Only an adequate idea of his power, however, can be conveyed by statis- ties. Hc infused the enthusiasm of his own ardent nature into the whole church. In the homes of the people, he won their hearts by the unaffected warmth of bis sympathies, while in public discourse his pungent appeals carried their hearts by storm. Again and again, people left the church door for want standing room within. And his was a rising power, as his work was ended before he had completed his thirtieth year.

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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 93

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