History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I, Part 43

Author: Middleton, Evan P., editor
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1196

USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 43

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 pastors who have served the congregation include the following: John T. Mitchell, just a few months; James F. Chalfant, 1855-57; Isaac F. Kingsley, 1857-59; J. J. Thompson. 1859-61 ; Jesse C. Robinson, 1861-63; William L. Hypes, 1863-65: L. F. VanCleve, 1865-68; J. F. Conrey, 1868- 70; Charles Ferguson, 1870-73: George H. Dart, 1873-76; A. N. Spahr, 1876-79: James Murray, 1880-82; T. H. Pearce, 1882-85; E. T. Wells, 1885-88: S. O. Royal, 1888-92: F. Burdsall, 1892-93; J. C. Vaught, 1893- 98: E. H. Cherington, 1898-1904: C. W. Sullivan, 1904-06; C. M. Van Pelt, 1906-08; Marion Lesourd, 1908-11: Warren J. Durnham, 1911-13; C. C. Kennedy, 1913-15; W. J. Hagerman, 1915-(present pastor ).

The membership of the congregation numbers about five hundred and fifty.

HISTORY OF MT. TABOR METHODIST CHURCH. By N. C. Hunter.

In the years from 1810 to 1814 a few families emigrated from Vir- ginia and Pennsylvania, and located in the northern part of Champaign county, Ohio, which was then the frontier and an almost unbroken wilder- ness. If one can imagine a country without churches and schools, such was Champaign county at this time.

.Among the brave pioneers were a few Methodists who, after estab- lishing homes, sought a place of worship. The most convenient place was the house of Griffith Evans with its earthen floor and puncheon seats. Here the little band worshiped for a period of four years. but as the little society grew in numbers and strength, a church edifice became a necessi- ty. One acre of land was secured at a very nominal price, the site being

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the one on which the present church now stands, and a log cabin was erected for religious purposes. The cabin was also used for school pur- poses for a number of years. The church house was a unique pioneer church. The house was built with five corners and in the fifth was a fireplace which was built above the level of the floor. Charcoal was the first fuel used, much to the annoyance of the preacher and the discomfort of the audience, as the smoke and gas were almost beyond endurance since there was no chimney.

The first campmeeting in the history of the church was conducted west of the meeting house, in 1818. This revival was followed by another in 1819, and among those attending were about three hundred Indians, who came to worship with their white brethern and neighbors.

Among the families composing the first organized society at Mt. Tabor were the Evanses, Hunters, Scotts, Latties, Thompsons, Casebolts, Burgesses, Mayses and Humphries. The first preacher was Saul Hinkle.

The log church house was destroyed by fire in 1824, but the little so- ciety and the friends of Methodism arose to the occasion and soon built a commodious brick structure, thirty by forty feet. This edifice was occupied until 1845, when a larger and better building was erected on the same site. It was about this time that the society enjoyed a gracious outpouring under the labors of Philip P. Nation. The society was very fortunate in having sent to them during the early times such able and capable preachers as J. Strange, William Raper, T. E. Findley and George Walker. Through the labors of these men of God, local preachers and laymen, the wilderness has truly bloomed and blossomed as the rose.

The most gracious revival in the history of the church was in the winter of 1842, under the labors of T. A. Philips. One hundred and twenty-five persons joined the society, many of whom were heads of fami- lies. The church enjoyed another revival in 1860, under the labors of N. McDonald. About seventy-five members were added to the church at that time. Other memorable revivals were conducted in 1863, due to the efforts of W. Webster and J. Verity; and in 1867, through the preaching of J. C. Deeme and E. McHugh.

At the close of the conference year 1870, the society at North Lewis- burg desired to become a station, and the request was recognized in 1871. But before the division of the circuit was made N. C. Hunter brought forward a resolution which stated that in case of such a division, the so- cieties at Mingo and Mt. Tabor should receive what was justly due them

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with respect to the parsonage. This action saved the two societies four hundred and seventy-five dollars.

Rev. David Whitmar was sent by the conference as the first pastor of the new charge, but there was no parsonage in which he could live. Some- thing had to be done and Lewis S. Seaman, William Scott, W. C. Hunter, John Lee and William Enoch, of Mt. Tabor, and Thomas Hunter, F. M. McAdams and J. L. Guthridge, of Mingo, purchased the neat and convenient property of L. C. Guthridge for one thousand two hundred dollars. At the quarterly conference held on November 11, 1871, action was taken to buy the property from this company of men and make a permanent parsonage of it. The required amount of money was raised and the property was deeded to the Mingo and Mt. Tabor charges, with Lewis S. Seaman, William Scott, N. C. Hunter, of Mt. Tabor, and J. G. Guthridge and E. McAdams, of Mingo, as trustees.

A new edifice was erected in 1881 but was not completed and dedicated until July 16, 1882. Bishop Joyce conducted the dedicatory services, and was successful in clearing the society of all indebtedness. The entire cost of the building was three thousand six hundred dollars.

The church is one of the few in the county to enjoy a continuous ex- istence. At the present time services are conducted twice each month by the pastor. Rev. C. E. Howard.

Mt. Tabor Cemetery .- The site of the cemetery seems to have been laid out as early as 1802, but the first interment was made in 1801, upon the death of an infant daughter of Griffith and Martha Evans. On July 20, 1820, one acre of ground was deeded to the church trustees for the sum of twelve and one-half cents. Additions have been made until the cemetery now comprises four acres.

EARLY SUNDAY SCHOOL AT MT. TABOR. By Dr. Thomas Cowgill.

I attended the Sabbath school at Mt. Tabor on the 21st of July (year not given). I am willing to offer some thoughts which occupied my mind during that pleasant day, spent in commemoration of the Sabbath School cause. It may be of some interest to my friends at Mt. Tabor.

The first Sabbath School I ever attended was at Mt. Tabor in the summer of 1821, if I remember rightly, when I was about nine years old. I repeated eight verses of the second chapter of Acts, which read as fol- lows: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all

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with one accord in one place," etc. The order of the school was nearly the same as at present. The scholars were expected to commit to memory during the week as many verses as they were able, recite them on the Sabbath, and then read the Testament in classes. Asking scripture ques- tions of the scholars. I believe, was not then practiced.

The pillars of the church then at Mt. Tabor seemed to be Griffith Evans, Nathaniel Hunter, Samuel Scott, Thomas Humphreys, William Hop- kins, a number of younger men, and perhaps other old men that I do not now remember.

Nathaniel Hunter was then superintendent of the Sabbath School, assisted by several others in teaching-old and young, male and female.

I believe the persons above named were among the first settlers at Mt. Tabor, and many of the descendants or most of them yet reside in that neighborhood.

The Sabbath School was very largely attended by the people of the neighborhood, old and young, and was held in a log cabin meeting house, which stood about where the brick church now stands. A few graves were there inclosed by a common rail fence.

Some of the scholars recited very large portions of Scripture, Among others prominent in the school Samuel A. Latta, deceased, late of Cincin- nati. His brothers James and William, and his sisters Mary and Sarah, were regular attendants. At the close of the exercises of each school, the superintendent or some other person would read the number of verses repeated by each scholar. At one time he read-"Mary Latta, 263 verses." She stated that 100 verses had been omitted, as she had repeated 363 verses. Upon counting it was found that she had repeated 363 verses, or about nine chapters, and all said to have been committed to memory in one week. Her memory was about equal to that of George D. Prentiss.

"When I remember all The friends thus linked together, I've seen around me fall Like leaves in wintry weather. I feel like one Who treads alone Some banquet hall deserted."

In all that large assembly at Mt. Tabor on the 21st, I believe William Scott and myself are the only representatives of the Sabbath School held at that consecrated place forty-nine years ago.

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The remains of many members of that school, both teachers and scholars, now lie buried in the grave-yard at Mt. Tabor. [This sketch by Doctor Cowgill appears in the history of Champaign and Logan counties which was issued in 1872.]

CONCORD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The first meetings at Concord were at the house of Robert McFarland, who settled just west of the present church building in the spring of 1812. Jacob Barger, who afterwards became one of the stalwart workers of the church and lived a mile up the creek, had preceded McFarland into the neighborhood about a year, but left the community on account of the Indian trouble in 1812. He returned to the neighborhood in 1813 and was largely instrumental in the organization of the society. Two other men who aided materially in instituting the society were Joseph Hill and William Harbor. Among other men identified with the church during the earlier days were James Russell, Robert Russell, Zacariah Heath, John Dagger, Abram Bryan, Christian Miller and John Duckworth. Several of these men and their families were members of the Westville church, known at that time as the Stevens church. After the coming of James Russell into the community, he having settled just east of the site of the church, the society met alternately at the homes of Russell and McFarland. The first steps toward the organization of the society were taken at the home of Robert McFarland in 1818, when the following persons became members of the new society : Robert McFarland and wife, William Harbor and wife, Christian Miller and wife, Mrs. Jennie Jackson, Henry Bacome and wife, Sarah Taylor, and a man by the name of Thomas and wife.

With the growth of the society and the community the need of a church edifice became urgent. These circumstances influenced Robert McFarland and James Russell, each to give an acre of land for the benefit of the church. The site chosen was on the west line of the old graveyard on top of the hill, the grave of the lamented Rev. Jesse Neer being near the center of the spot covered by the building. The contract was awarded to Joshua and Tid Franklin, both of who were well-known carpenters of the com- munity. The building when completed was twenty feet wide and twenty- four feet long. It was constructed of hewed logs, and had a shingle roof. In June, 1824, it was dedicated by Rev. George W. Maley, the grandfather of George Eichelberger. The only entrance to the building was a door

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on the south side. The east and west end each had a small window. A still smaller one was in the rear of the pulpit which occupied a central po- sition on the north side opposite the door. The house was never ceiled and was open from the floor to the roof, with but two joists across the center on which the flue rested. The seats were made of ordinary slabs from some neighboing saw-mill, with no backs, flat side up and feather edge removed. The house was lighted with the old style tallow candle, placed in a tin holder, commonly called a "scone," suspended on the wall. Four of these lighted the house, one at each end, one at the pulpit and the other at the door. Additional light was furnished by placing a candle on the desk near the Bible. As many as four or five times during the service, these candles had to be trimmed which was done by means of an implement · called snuffers, something unknown to the present generation. This struc- ture served well the needs of the society for fourteen years during which time William Harbor, Jacob Barger, Zachariah Heath and Robert Mc- Farland were the trustees. The building was abandoned for church pur- poses in 1840, but for a few years thereafter was used for political and election purposes. It was afterwards rented to Joseph Hough for an un- dertaking establishment, and he shared it with Samuel Gibbs, a cooper. The building was later sold to Joseph Hough and was razed by him in 1855.

Progress of the church-In the summer of 1836, preparations were made to construct a second edifice, which was to be of brick. After the contract was let to Willis and Wesley Gearhart, a brick kiln was established just west of the present edifice and it was there that the brick for the church was sunburnt. The brick-makers included David Hunt, J. M. McFar- land, James M. Gibbs, John Pence and T. D. Crow. In the fall of 1837 the walls of the church were put up, but when the financial panic of that year came sweeping over the country work on the church came to a stand- still. The bare walls, minus the gable ends of the building, were covered with boards and remained in that condition during the winter of 1837-38. The brick work was completed in the spring of 1838, and the wood work, which was let to Joseph and Valentine Russell, was completed in time for the dedicatory exercises in June, when the structure, as was its predecessor, was dedicated as the McFarland meeting house. The total cost of the building was one thousand dollars. The architecture of the building was in keeping with the times, low and flat, with a flue in the center of each gable end. The door in the west end of the church was designated as the "men's door," and the one on the south side near the southeast corner of the

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building was called the "women's door," for so rigid was the custom in those days that a man or boy hardly ever entered or left the house by that door. The same held true with the other door, which was exclusively for men, and if a woman ever passed through that door she was regarded as being out of place. The roof of the edifice was supported by four huge walnut posts, standing in regular order in the room. The pulpit, a four-by-six structure, was in the east end of the auditorium. On the north side of the pulpit was the entrance thereto, which was reached by a flight of stairs. The altar, which was of circular form, extended from wall to wall and had three openings, each provided with a swinging gate.

Among the many members who worshipped at this church were Mary Kiser, Mary Barger, Mary Jane Hough, William Harbor, M. W. Barger, Lydia C. Russell, W. J. Abbott and wife, and Jane Fritz; most of whom were living at the time the present church was built.

In the fall of 1866, the society began to make preparations for the erection of the present building. David Whitmer was then in charge of the circuit. The contract for the edifice was awarded to William Stover, of Urbana, the cost being seven thousand dollars. The brick for the building was made on the Gibbs farm, a half miles east of the church, under the direction of David Hovey, of Urbana. The building was completed and dedicated on December 15, 1867, the dedicatory sermon being delivered by Rev. Asbury Lowry. Among the members worthy of note at this time were Andrew Stretch, Abram Bryan, Daniel Kizer, Willoughby and J. W. Heath, David H. Neer, Jesse Neer, Samuel Neer, Levi Johnson, John Mc- Coy, Ezra Niles, Isaac Talley, William Sims and James Russell and wife.

The pastors of the church have been the same as those of the Westville church, and are mentioned in the history of the latter church. The church has one of the largest congregations of the country churches of the county, and there are at the present time two hundred and sixty-seven members. In connection with the church is an active Sunday school with an enrollment of two hundred and twenty-five. J. H. Snarr is superintendent.

Concord Cemetery-Joseph Hill, who was the first settler in the Con- cord community, came as early as 1802. In a few years came Zacariah Heath, Phillip C. Kenton, James and Robert Russell, John Dagger, Jacob Barger, Abram Bryan, Christian Miller and John Duckworth. These men, with the exception of Kenton, in the year 1818 took the first steps toward the formation of what is now knowns as Concord chapel. Kenton sold the farm on which the church and cemetery are located to James Russell about 1815.

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Among the excellent women members of the church was the wife of Jacob Barger, familiarly called "Aunt Polly." Just prior to her death on May 21, 1841, she requested that her body should be buried near the old log church in the woods. The ground had never been enclosed and the old church had been abandoned, hence the idea of starting a graveyard in the woods was appalling to some. But it was done and that grave marked the beginning of Concord cemetery. On the first of August, after the burial of Mrs. Jacob Barger, the remains of John Underwood were placed in front of the building. The third person buried there was John, the son of Adam Barger.

FIRST METHODIST CHURCH AT ST. PARIS.

The first Methodist church at St. Paris was organized in a school house that stood on Springfield street, by Rev. J. G. Black, in 1851, with the fol- lowing charter members: Benjamin F. Kizer, Jacob Rhoads and wife, Sam- uel Overhulz and wife, Malab Malan and wife and Daniel Wert. Meetings and services were held in private homes and school houses several months prior to the organization.

In the fall of 1852 the society became a charge on the Tremont circuit. At this time the erection of a church building was begun and the structure was dedicated in June, 1853, by Rev. Granville Moody. George W. Harris, who superintended the construction of the building, became the first regular pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. W. N. Williams, and the latter by Rev. E. H. Field. In 1855, the society became a part of the Fletcher circuit. In the fall of 1870, W. F. Wolf and J. B. Sullivan were preachers on the circuit.

In 1875-76 a beautiful brick edifice was built at a cost of ten thousand five hundred dollars. At that time the building was doubtless the most mod- ern country church in the county. This church edifice is occupied by the society at the present time, and has been repaired and remodeled, serving adequately the needs of the congregation. Many pastors have served the congregation and many of these have been strong and able ministers. The present pastor is Rev. Walter C. Nash, who has served the congregation, consisting of three hundred members, since 1915. As auxiliaries to the church is an active Sunday school with an enrollment of two hundred and thirty-five, an Epworth league and a Ladies' Aid society.

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WESTVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Westville Methodist church is the outgrowth of the first religious gathering in Mad River township. In 1801 a sermon was preached by Rev. James Davidson under a tree on the land owned by Ezekiel Arrowsmith and not so very many years afterward a society was organized. According to the best information, the society was formally organized in the fall of 1811 at the house of Christian Stevens. Stevens then owned a quarter section of land embracing the northwest corner of the village; his house stood near the center of the farm, about seventy-five rods northwest of the present church building. Until a church could be provided services were conducted in the homes of Arthur Elliott, Christian Stevens and a man of the name of Brock- myer.

In 1812 the society erected a log church on the southwest corner of the Stevens farm, one-half mile west of Westville. The building stood for a number of years, long after it had been abandoned as a church building. A cemetery was near the building; however, with the demolition of the church building, the evidence of a cemetery gradually disappeared.

In 1841, a brick edifice was erected on the lot immediately south of the present building and was commonly known as the Stevens meeting house. The contract for the structure was let to Joseph Hough; the Gearharts did the brick work and Albert Stevens the plastering. The building was forty- two by thirty-six feet, of a low flat order, with the doors at the front of the building. The total cost of the structure was nine hundred and eighty-five dollars. The dedicatory service occurred in November of the same year, and was conducted by James B. Finley, presiding elder, with Philip Muchner and Andrew Dixon, pastors. Among those who were active members at that time were Rev. William Haller, James D. Stevens, Elijah Putnam, James Chance, Jacob Hoke and Noble Osborn.

When the building was destroyed by fire on December 24, 1876, steps were taken immediately to rebuild. With the united efforts of all, the pres- ent building was erected in the summer of 1877, and was dedicated by Rev- erend Marine, of Indiana, in the fall of the same year. Levi Hockman was the contractor of the structure, which cost three thousand six hundred dol- lars. J. W. Casset was the presiding elder at the time and Rev. J. G. Black, pastor. The trustees were Elijah Hanna, Lemuel Hoke, Jacob Hoke, Sr., Noble Osborn, William L. McGinnis and L. A. McGinnis.

Roll of the Pastors-The list of ministers of the Westville church applies

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equally to the Concord church, as both charges have been on the same circuit since 1812, the Westville society being the parent of that of Concord. When the Westville society was organized it became a part of the Miami district, White Oak circuit, and remained as such for four years, during which time the society was served by the following ministers: Walter Griffith, Reuben Rowe, 1812; Robert W. Finley, 1813; Robert W. Finley, David Sharp, 1814; John Strange, Samuel Chenowith, 1815. Miami district, Piqua circuit, 1816- 17; David Sharp, 1816; S. Chenowith, Peter Stevens, 1817. Lebanon dis- trict, Piqua circuit, A. W. Elliott, S. Brockmier, 1818; John P. Taylor, Thomas Hitt, 1819; William Westlake, William Simons, 1820; Robert Dob- bins, R. W. Finley, 1821 ; D. D. Davidson, R. W. Finley, 1822; G. W. Maley, J. A. Baughman, 1823. Sandusky district, Bellefontaine circuit, Levi White, 1824; Miami district, Bellefontaine circuit, George Gatch, 1825; Thomas Beecham, 1826; Lebanon district, Bellefontaine, Joshua Boncher, 1827; John W. Clark, James W. Finley, 1828; William Sutton, Robert W. Finley, 1829; Thomas Sims, William Sullivan, 1830; Thomas Sims, William Moore, 1831 : J. Stewart, J. G. Bruce, 1832; Lebanon district, Sidney circuit, James Smith, D. D. Davidson, 1833; Urbana district, Sidney circuit, D. D. Davidson, W. C. Clarke, 1834; George W. Walker, David Kemper, 1835; James Smith, Joseph W. Smith, 1836; William Sutton, Silas P. Chase, 1837; David War- nock, Levi P. Miller, 1838; David Warnock, M. E. Hansley, 1839; Urbana district, Fletcher circuit, James Smith; Asbury Lowry, 1840; Philip Mucher, Andrew Dixon, 1841; Samuel Brown, Isaac Whitney, 1842; D. N. Smith, M. T. Bowman, 1843; Elijah H. Field, J. F. Chalfant, 1844; William Sutton, David Whitmer, 1845; William Sutton, Isaac N. Mark, 1846; Joseph W. Smith, 1847; William Young, 1848: William Webb, 1849; Urbana district. Tremont circuit; Anthony W. Musgrove, Joseph W. Smith, John G. Black, 1850; L. D. Harlan, James Kendal, 1851 ; George W. Harris, 1852; William N. Williams, 1853: E. H. Field, 1854-55: John G. Black, 1856-57; William Thurber, J. P. Shultz, 1858; Jeremiah B. Ellsworth, 1859-61 ; William Sim- mons, 1862; Springfield district, Tremont circuit, William J. Quarry, 1863- 64; David Whitmer, 1865-66: David Warnock, 1867: Eli Kirk, 1868; John G. Black, 1869-71 : Charles Kalbfus, 1872-74: Thornton E. Fidler, 1875-76; John G. Black, 1877-79: Edward McHugh, 1880-82: J. W. Gaddis, 1883-85: H. C. Middleton, 1886-89; C. D. Munsey, 1890-92: R. K. Deem, 1893-94: John A. White, 1895-96: Frank Leever, 1897-98; A. D. Maddox, 1899-02: R. McCohn, 1902-05 : Charles Eckles, 1905-07; C. W. Briggs, 1907-12; F. S. Miller, 1912-15; W. H. Huber, 1915-17.

The most important auxiliary to the church is the Sunday school, with

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an enrollment of one hundred and forty pupils. Eugene Stevens is the super- intendent. The membership of the congregation at the present time is one hundred and fifty-four.

GRAFTON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Grafton Methodist church, so named because most of the original members of the society belonged to the Grafton family, was organized in 1838, with fifteen charter members. In order that the church might be within easy access of its members, James C. Grafton donated a site for the erection of a building. While the edifice was in the course of construction, the con- gregation worshiped in the Fitzpatrick school house, Mad River township, in which place the society was organized. After the building had long served its day of usefulness it was supplanted by a more modern and convenient struc- ture. Originally the church was a part of the Troy circuit, but for the sake of convenience was changed to the Hampton circuit. Among the pioneer ministers who preached to the congregation were the Reverends Bowlcher, Raper and Granville Moody.

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History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I, Part 43

Author: Middleton, Evan P., editor Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1196

Author: Middleton, Evan P., editor
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1196