USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 47
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115
Digitized by Google
487
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
ings. The name of the moderator is seldom given. The early minutes of the association throw no light on who was pastor, and the records of the church make no mention of calling a pastor until January, 1829. At that time William Vaughn was called. It is therefore reasonable to suppose that, while other ministers preached occasionally, Guthridge and Thomas were the only preachers of the church for twenty-four years. It seems that William Vaughn accepted the call of the church and preached from January, 1829, until in February, 1831. Then T. J. Price took charge of the church work, and con- tinued in this capacity, except during short intervals, for nearly twenty-five years. The records show the calling of William Hawker and David Scott during this period. but they seemed rather as assistants of Reverend Price than to have had full charge of the work. Others were also called to preach for the church during this period: Rev. Eli Frye, in June, 1835, and Rev. A. Williams, in April, 1851 ; however, for some reason, they never preached much. Reverend Price was the shepherd of the flock from 1831 to 1856. In June, 1856, Rev. Daniel Bryant was called to the pastorate and served the church until November 21, 1859. The successor of Reverend Bryant was Rev. David Scott, who had preached to the congregation at different times in the past. When the call came for men to serve the Union during the Civil War, he resigned and went with the vast host into the South to help save his country.
Rev. J. B. Tuttle took up the work of the church on January 1, 1862. The call of Reverend Tuttle inaugurated a new era in the history of the church, for at that time it began having a settled pastor and preaching every Sunday. The pastor did not remain long, for he resigned on September 12, 1863, to take charge of the church in Urbana. Rev. J. B. Sutton succeeded to the pastorate in December of the same year, and continued as the pastor until October 1, 1866. From that time until 1867, Rev. M. Jones acted as a supply. Then Rev. James Harvey took the oversight of the church. Rev- erend Harvey closed his work with the Kings Creek church on September 1, 1872, having been in charge five years and six months. Elias Stillwell was next called and began preaching in February, 1873, but his stay was of short duration. Rev. M. Squibb supplied for the remainder of the year. Later he became pastor and remained until February, 1875. Daniel Bryant acted as pastor for a few months until arrangements could be made for H. P. Clark to supply. In August of the same year William Roney took charge, but remained less than a year, resigning in July, 1876. Another short pastorate was that of W. A. Robinson who entered upon the work in Decem-
Digitized by Google
488
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
ber, 1876, and closed it in November, 1878. He in turn was followed by W. J. Dunn, who closed his labors on March 1, 1882. In April, Rev. G. G. Harriman was engaged to supply for an indefinite time. In August, Rev. A. B. Charpie was called to supply, with a view of assuming the regular pastorate, which he did and served the congregation one year. In April of the following year Rev. L. D. Morse was chosen pastor and assumed his duties at once. He remained with the church until in July, 1884. Rev. C. N. Hartford was the next pastor and continued in this capacity until March 1, 1891. Rev. Harvey Mclaughlin accepted the call of the church the fol- lowing May and was the pastor until March 1, 1894. His successor was Rev. L. H. Suddith who remained until October, 1895.
Daniel Bryant was engaged to preach for the church, beginning with March 1, 1896. He resigned the following August and severed his connec- tions with the church at once. C. W. Foley was the next pastor, beginning his labors on October, 1899, and served until October 15, 1901. He was succeeded by Rev. A. F. Hayes, July 1, 1902. The pastors of the past ten years or more include the Reverends Bailey, Piper, Turkington and Forrest, the latter of whom was the last pastor. The membership of the church at present numbers about one hundred and thirty.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.
By E. W. B. Curry.
The Jerusalem, or Second Baptist Church of Urbana, Ohio, was organ- ized on Saturday, before the fourth Lord's day in March, 1846. Rev. Samuel Jones was the pastor in charge. The following members were in the organization : Brothers John and Bryant Clark, and sisters Elizabeth Chavers, Lucy Clark, Elizabeth Farron and Mary Moore.
At first the congregation held meetings in groves and private homes. An old work shop, now the residence of John Wells on south Main street, then stood on the southeast corner of Market square. It was purchased from William Sampson, the owner, for one hundred dollars, and moved. The moving was done by Calvin Rector with a yoke of oxen belonging to Henry Weaver.
For ten years the congregation worshiped in the old workshop, but at the end of that period, it was found that it had outgrown its old quarters. They then purchased a lot on Buckeye street for one hundred and fifty dol- lars. They traded this lot for the site on which the church now stands. Mrs. Eliza Logan's brick yard was rented for thirty dollars, Daniel Chavers
Digitized by Google
489
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
moulded the brick and John H. Chavers, with George Moss, carried them to the yard. After many sacrifices and hardships, the congregation finally suc- ceeded in erecting the house of worship.
The following ministers have served as pastors: Phillip Young, L. B. Moss ( for twenty years), Henry Rockhold, Richard Merideth, George Curry, James Shoecraft, P. B. Wright. Henderson Stewart, Wallace Shelton, Peter Everett, B. A. T. Powell, L. C. Sheafe, J. A. Viney, L. M. Leonard, C. W. Stribling, W. L. Burr, R. O. Hart, N. S. Norris, E. W. B. Curry, son of George Curry, and J. T. Carter.
The organization has a membership of over three hundred, the largest of any church among the colored people in Champaign county. The Sunday school, Baptist Young Peoples Union Mission and educational societies are alive to Christian work.
W. T. Hill, D. R. Jones, Charles Owens, Watson Fletcher, Villian Stewart, Leslie Guy. Sam McGregor, Lee Saloan, Thomas Goins, Sidney Goins. W. N. Allen, J. V. Valentine, and Melvin Stanhope are members of the official board. Othello Curry, Mckinley Dunn, Leander Church, Forest Stanhope and Henry Williams are ushers and collection helpers. Among the women workers are Mrs. F. W. B. Curry, Mrs. D. R. Jones, Mrs. Susan Jones, Mrs. Watson Fletcher, Miss Hattie Waugh and Mrs. T. J. Carter.
The Second Baptist church is a strong force for the good of the colored people of the community. Any cause which stands for good morals, tem- perance, education, charities or missions is assured of a hearing and liberal support in the Jerusalem Baptist church.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF URBANA AND BUCK CREEK.
Presbyterianism first obtained a foothold in Champaign county at a place six miles east of Urbana in 1802; one year before the admission of Ohio into the Union. Archibald Steele was the first Presbyterian minister who preached the gospel in this county. The first missionaries of the Presby- terian faith who labored in this region were Nicholas Pittinger, Thomas Marquis and Joseph Stephenson.
The first communion was observed in the fall of 1810. No elders had been ordained at that time and the elements were served by the officiating ministers. Joseph McClain and wife, some of the Robinsons, Huestons, Wilsons and Minturns and David Vance and wife were received at that time.
Digitized by Google
490
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
In 1811, under the supervision of the presbytery of Cincinnati the church, which may be regarded as the parent of the first church of Urbana, was organized. David Vance was elected ruling elder and was ordained by Rev. Joseph Stephenson. The church was named Buck Creek, from the stream near which its members lived. It was known on the records of the presby- tery, however, as Harmony church. Three years afterwards, Jacob Minturn, Joseph McClain and John Runyon were elected elders. At that time the name of the church was changed to Union; the name being significant of the connection existing between the two branches, Buck Creek and Urbana. In 1812, James Robinson made a donation of land for a church site and burying ground, which from that time to the present has been occupied by the Buck Creek church. Very recently a part of the original site, consisting of three acres and the manse were sold.
The first pastor of the Union church was Rev. James Hughes. His time, however, was divided between Buck Creek, Urbana, and a place called Mingo, which was occupied by the Indians. The place is now called North Lewisburg. Before the erection of a meeting house at Urbana, there were at different times several places where the Presbyterian people could meet together to worship and to listen to their ministers. One of these was an old log school house on Locust street, another the present site of the old woolen factory, another a room over the jail, which then stood on Market street. In pleasant weather services were held in a grove near the factory. Rev- erend Hughes was pastor until 1818, when he was elected principal of Miami University.
Progress of the Church .- From the time of Reverend Hughes's removal until the beginning of 1821, the church seems to have had only occasional and irregular supplies. In February of that year Rev. John Birch, an English- man and a bachelor, began preaching as a supply, and continued until 1824. After Reverend Birch the church had occasional supplies. Among these were Reverend Goddard and Reverend Stewart, from Philadelphia. On April 10, 1827, Rev. David Merrill was invited to preach for four weeks. He continued as stated pastor until the spring of 1841, a period of fourteen years, the longest pastorate in the history of the church. He was not formally installed as pastor until 1835, two years after the separation of the Urbana and Buck Creek church.
On January 4, 1822, Alexander Taylor and Col. William Ward were ordained as elders for the Urbana branch of the Union church, but there was as yet no formal separation. On April 3, 1833, a meeting was
Digitized by Google
491
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
held at Buck Creek, at which the Urbana members asked the church to unite with them in a petition to the presbytery of Miami for a division. This was agreed to, and a committee consisting of Rev. David Merrill and Elder Cantrall was appointed to present the matter to presbytery. The presbytery granted the petition, and in the year 1833 this church began its existence as a separate organization, with one hundred members, Rev. David Merrill as pastor, and the following men as elders: Alexander Taylor, William Ward, Matthew Magrew and Hugh McDonald. The first subscription for building a house of worship bears the date of July 16, 1828. The house for which this subscription was made was never entirely finished, but was far enough completed to be occupied. On March 22, 1830, a fearful tornado passed over Urbana and the little church building was completely wrecked.
A subscription for a second house of worship bears the date of June 29, 1830. To the energy and liberality of Col. William Ward more than to that of any other single individual, this church was indebted for its first two houses. The first house stood on the site of the present court house. The second one, which was thirty-six feet wide and forty-five feet long, was built where the present church edifice now stands and was occupied until 1853, when it was torn down to permit the erection of a third edifice. The fourth and present building was completed and opened for service on May 5. 1895. This edifice, which is one of the very finest in this section of the country, is built of Bera stone, after the Romanesque style of architecture, and cost approximately thirty-five thousand dollars. The church proper has a seating capacity of five hundred and fifty, but, by utilizing the Sunday school rooms and all available space. nine hundred can be comfortably seated.
Reverend Merrill was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Elcock who supplied the congregation for six months. Rev. Alexander Cowan was the next pastor. He was called on August 15, 1842, and was released in 1844. After Reverend Cowan the church was supplied part of the time during 1845-46 by Rev. J. B. Adams. Rev. Thomas F. Magill was the next pastor and the only one up to this time to die while pastor of the church. He began preach- ing here in 1846, although he was not formally installed until December 11, 1850, and died on September 20, 1852. Rev. Edwin B. Raffenberger was the next pastor and remained for a period of eighteen months. Following his pastorate Rev. Leander H. Long received a call, November 25, 1854. He began his work with the congregation on the first Sunday in January, 1855. and continued until March 4, 1864.
Pastors Since the l'ar .- Rev. John Woods was installed as pastor on
492
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
April 24, 1865, and served the congregation until in April, 1868. He was succeeded by Rev. J. A. P. McGaw, D. D., who became the pastor of the church on the first day of January, 1869, although he was not installed until April 28 of the same year. He served the congregation until April, 1880, and acted as supply until June of that year. His successor was Rev. J. G. Patterson, who became the pastor on November 15, 1881, and continued until May 1, 1884. Rev. H. A. Ketchum was the next minister to take charge of the work in the church. He was installed on April 28, 1885, and remained until 1891, when Rev. J. B. Helwig. D. D., was chosen as his successor. The latter served the congregation until 1898, when he was succeeded by Rev. R. M. Donaldson who continued as pastor until 1902. Rev. Frank Reber, the successor to Reverend Donaldson, took up his work here in 1902, and continued his work as pastor for five years. He was then succeeded by Rev. W. D. Atkinson who ministered to the needs of the church until 1912, in which year Rev. W. J. Dempster, the present pastor, began his work.
The congregation numbers five hundred and seventy-two. Among the auxiliaries connected with the church are a large and active Brotherhood society, a Bible class and an active Christian Endeavor Society. In addition to these are two flourishing missionary societies. The Woman's Missionary Society was organized on December 30, 1873, with seven charter members. The first officers were Mrs. Morris, president; Mrs. McGaw, first vice-presi- dent : Mrs. J. Boal, second vice-president; Mrs. F. Houston, secretary, and Mrs. J. D. Rock, treasurer. A mission branch was organized in April, 1884. The "Lower Lights," an organization of boys, was begun on January 24, 1885. with six charter members.
The present officers of the church include the following: John Duncan, Alexander Duncan, John C. McCracken, Fred H. Wood, James S. Robinson, William S. Given, Harry B. Conyers. Oscar Eby, Herman B. Lichtie, Clay- ton E. French, Clarence A. Coon, George P. Siebert. Charles A. Leaming, P. A. Boisen, elders; Leander Marmon, clerk.
The present membership of the Buck Creek church is forty-seven. Services are conducted twice each month by Rev. W. J. Dempster, of the church at Urbana. For a number of years prior to the coming of Mr. Dempster to Urbana. the church was inactive. Rev. C. E. Titford was the last regular pastor.
The Presbyterian Sunday School .- Almost one hundred and four years ago a few godly Christian women of Urbana met in a week of prayer and conference at the home of Rev. John C. Pearson. At that time there were
Digitized by Google
493
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
many families in which children were growing up like heathens, without the knowledge of a higher being. Inspired by these circumstances these women made an effort to teach these neglected children something of the life of the Savior. Mrs. Mary Hughes, Mrs. Jane Reynolds, Mrs. Jane Heylin and Mrs. Sarah D. Neal proposed the opening of a Sunday school. Without delay a building that was owned by Dr. Adam Mosgrove was procured and was fitted out with rustic-seats, Bibles, Testaments, spelling books and primers. When everything was in readiness, public notice was given and the children of the village were invited to attend.
The Sunday school was well attended from the beginning. Along with the children came many of the mothers. The teachers at that time were Maria Reynolds, Mary Hughes and Eliza Heylin. In 1820 it was deemed advisable to divide the school; the Presbyterians taking one-half and the Methodist taking the other half.
William Ward was appointed the first superintendent of the Presby- terian Sunday school and for twelve years he faithfully performed the duties of his office. In 1822 the male teachers were John Bayles, Stephen Miller and Douglass Luce. The last one named was connected with the school for thirty-three years, giving his time, talents and means as the work demanded. The female teachers included Mrs. Mary Pogue, Margaret Gibler, Mary G. Hunt, Elizabeth Sweet, Mary A. Hughes, Ellen Hunt and Eliza Heylin. Among the superintendents was Mr. Whitney, 1832; D. W. McDonald, 1835; James McBeth, 1846; Reverend Kinney, 1849; Henry A. Wilcox, 1851. It was during this latter year that the infant class was started by Mrs. Berry and Mrs. McGrew.
In 1853 the school was reorganized, a new constitution was adopted and the following officers were elected: Henry A. Wilcox, superintendent ; John D. Rock, librarian; Duncan McDonald, treasurer. The school then had thirteen teachers and fifty-two pupils, making a total of seventy-one. Other superintendents of the school include the following: James R. McBeth, 1854; Rev. L. H. Long, 1855: Stillman Emmerson, 1856; G. D. Moore, 1862; John D. Rock, 1863; J. J. Reed, 1864; John D. Rock, 1865; I. M. Boal, 1866; Rev. John Wood, 1867: then John D. Rock, who was superin- tendent for over twenty years. Following came Charles Jamison, L. M. Wood, D. W. Todd, Fred H. Wood, James Robison. H. M. Hubbell and C. A. Coon, the latter of whom is the present superintendent. The Sunday school at the present time has an enrollment of four hundred.
Digitized by Google
494
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, URBANA.
The United Presbyterian church was organized at Urbana in 1844 by the Rev. J. S. McCracken. The first elders of the church were James Dallas, Andrew McBeth and Miles Beatty. The first pastor was Rev. Thomas Baker, who took charge of the work there in 1845. He served the congre- gation until his death in 1847. His successor was Rev. L. H. Long, who accepted the call of the church in 1849. He preached to his congregation until November, 1854, when he resigned to become the pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Urbana. Rev. J. B. Finley took up the work in the church and carried it on until 1856.
From 1856 until 1861 the church was without the services of a regular pastor, although at stated intervals worship was conducted by Reverends David Payne. T. C. McCaghn and Thomas Brown. Rev. W. S. Morhead filled the pulpit for one year, but resigned to become a missionary to Italy. In December 1862, Rev. T. B. Dysart became the pastor of the church, but died after serving the church nearly two years. He was succeeded by Rev. H. H. Thompson in 1865 and he served until 1881 and was the last regular pastor. The church began to go down shortly after Rev. L. H. Long became the pastor of the First Presbyterian church, which gradually absorbed the membership of the members of the United Presbyterian church and the latter finally became inactive in 1881.
SHARON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The early settlers in Union township were almost all of the Presby- terian faith. John Woods was the first minister to preach the Gospel to the settlers, and he came to this county in 1807. For many years services were conducted in the home of James McLain. Following the pastorate of Woods, Archibald Steele and Joseph Stephenson were in charge of the services. James Hughes was the first regular pastor and he began his work in 1813.
A log house of worship was erected the same year just east of the village of Reynolds (Slabtown). The edifice stood on the southwest corner of what has long been known as the Miles Beaty farm. The farm is located principally on the south side of the Urbana and Mulford pike, immediately south of Union chapel. The building stood a few rods south of the Union school house on the Mutual road. This structure was occupied until 1827
Digitized by Google
495
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
when it was burned. A new building was erected almost immediately on the same site. Services were conducted for many years, but in the course of time the membership of the congregation gradually diminished and eventually disbanded. The building stood for many years after the disbandment of the society before it was removed. In close proximity to the church was a grave- yard and in it are buried many of the pioneer settlers of that community.
SPRING HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
One of the first Presbyterian churches in this section of the state was organized on Cherokee run in May, 1825. This church at that early date covers an area of not less than eight hundred square miles. Joseph Wilson and eleven others were received into this church at Newall's mill. This mill, long since gone, stood at the base of the hill upon which the village of Spring Hills now stands, where the North Sidney and Spring Hills road crosses Graves creek, some sixteen miles from the Cherokee Run meeting house. At this mill, five months later, January 12, 1826, the Stony Creek Presbyterian church was organized. The name of the church was changed on October 27, 1858, to that of the town in which the house of worship stands, Spring Hills. The church at that time covered the territory now occupied by six flourishing churches, namely, Spring Hills, Bellefontaine, West Liberty, De Graff, Zanesfield and Parish, an area of three hundred square miles. About the year 1829, the Bellefontaine church was organized. In the year 1840 the West Liberty church was established, and out of these older churches the three younger churches have been organized, Spring Hills being the par- ent of them all. The first list of members to be found on the records is dated in January, 1831, and contains forty-eight names. Now in the same territory there are between seven and eight hundred members.
At the organization of the Stony Creek church, Joseph Wilson, John Taylor and John Travis were elected as ruling elders. The two former were ordained and all three were installed on the third Sunday in January, 1826. These three devoted mer, with the venerable Rev. Joseph Stevenson to lead them, had a vast field in which to labor.
Until 1831, services were held in the homes of the various members, - but as the society grew in numbers and strength a building became a necessity and this circumstance led to the erection of a log building in the year men- tioned. This church served well the needs of the congregation for ten years at the end of which time a new frame structure, thirty-five by sixty feet was built. The pastor at that time was Rev. James Gill.
Digitized by Google
496
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
Progress and Pastors of the Church .- The church building was remodeled in 1887 at a cost of one thousand eight hundred dollars, and in 1912 further improvements, such as the construction of a basement, kitchen and dining room were made at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars.
Many pastors have been connected with this church, and their names occur as follow : Rev. Joseph Stevenson, 1825-27; Rev. James Paregrine, 1838-40; Rev. Hugh R. Price, 1840-41; Rev. W. C. Holly, 1841-44; Rev. M. T. Lockett. 1844-45; Rev. D. B. Read, 1845-46; Rev. J. H. Gill, 1846-47 ; Rev. William H. Galbreath, 1847-53; Rev. Seth Howell, 1853-56; Rev. W. B. Spence, 1856-58. It was in this latter year that the name of the church was changed from Stony Creek to Spring Hills, and the pastors continue as follow : Rev. Alexander Telfore, 1858-73; Rev. L. T. Drake, 1873-85; Rev. Reece W. Edwards, 1885-91 ; Rev. J. G. Grabile, 1891-92; Rev. F. M. Kumler, 1893-1901 ; Rev. C. J. McCracken, 1901-03; Rev. M. G. Clayton, 1904-06; Rev. C. W. Bogle, 1906-08; Rev. J. M. McComb, 1909-10; Rev. S. C. Bates, 1911-1914; Rev. E. C. Hamilton, 1914-1916; Rev. John Carl Paul, 1917.
At the time of organization the following members were received into the church by certificate: John Travis, John Taylor, Joseph Wilson, Robert Patterson, Silas Johnson, Mary Moore, Sarah Vance, Ellenor Wilson, Eliza- beth Patterson, Anna McFarran, Jane Wilson, John Wilson, John Newell, William Wilson, George McFarran, Julia Ann Howell, John Smith, John Kirkwood, William Kirkwood, Sarah Kirkwood and Margaret Kirkwood.
The officers of the church at the present time include the following : Denton Crowl, Benjamin Phenegar, J. W. Peck, J. S. Wren, Forry Wilson, F. C. Mohr, J. R. Harner, C. N. Strayer, elders; Joseph Calland, Newton Calland, Amos Fett, Harry Wren, J. N. Barnett, Grant Mohr, deacons; Mrs. Nellie Johnson and Mrs. Mary Garver, deaconess. The church roll at the present time includes the names of one hundred and fifty members in good standing. The church maintains an active Sunday school with an enrollment of nearly one hundred, a Christian Endeavor Society of forty members, and a Missionary Society of twenty-four members.
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.