History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, Part 19

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1108

USA > Ohio > Clinton County > History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families > Part 19

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The past dozen years or more have been years of unusual activity and growth in the educational affairs of Wilmington. Probably no other town in the state, of Its population, has more ample material accommodations. Its four buildings are in excellent

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condition. The Union, or malu, building has been modernized in all Its appointments. The Midland building, built in 1884 for colored puplis, has been provided with water, electricity and modern beating apparatus. The Smith Place building, built in 1893 and enlarged to twice its original size in 1906, is a fine example of an up-to-date school plant. The growth of the high school to more than two hundred made a separate building necessary for its accommodation, whleb was provided in 1911, at a cost of about eight thousand dollars for building and grounda. In addition to recitation rooms, study rooms and laboratory, It contains an auditorium, with stage and dressing rooms; a gymnasium, with dressing rooms and shower baths; a library and rooms for manual training and domestic science, and the grounds are ample for an athletic field. It is enough to say that, for capacity, comfort, safety and sanitation, the school buildings of Wilmington meet every requirement of Ohio's stringent code:

The following items are interesting as illustrating the growth of the schools: The first corps of teachers named by Superintendent Cole in 1871 consisted of the following : J. H. Grove, E. Jennie Ginn, Jennie Cornell, Lizzie M. Early, Marvin C. Hadley and Auna Cropsey, with a Mr. Pratt in charge of the colored schools. The corps of teachers for 1914-15 consisted of the following : High school, C. C. Martin, J. Oscar Villars, O. J. Peeling, Clara Peelle, Ruby R. Fisher and Caroline Farquhar. Grades; Frank P. Sage, principal of the Main building; Charles A. Ward, principal of the Smith Place building; Squire Buster, principal of the Midland building (colored) ; Anna Hinshaw, Dora G. Smith, Hauna Haley, Laura Sutherland, May Williams, Luie Clevenger, Mary B. Madden, Jennie Ethel Brown, Claire Hague. Marletta Weer, Willamette Carroll, Carrie Ent, Florence Austin, Lola M. Street, Ivy Edwards and Glenna Emmons, with Hazel West as supervisor of music and drawing. The monthly school reports for May, 1870, and May, 1915, contain, among others, the following items:

1870

1015

Total enrollment

213

902

Number enrolled

182

774

Daily attendance

159

738

Per cent. attendance

Cases tardiness

Mr. Pritchard's report for February of the same year shows 247 cases of tardiness; February, 1915, 27 cases.

The first colored tencher in Wilmington, as far as any record shows, was Charles Hurd, who was employed in 1853 to teach the colored youth of the town and township at one dollar per day for sixty-five days. Mr. Hurd seems to have been very successful. as he taught for many years at increasing wages, his last term being in 1867. Other men who have done excellent service as principais of the colored schools are G. W. Mitchell, G. W. Guy, Solomon Day, A. R. Guy, C. A. Napper, J. W. Stewart and the present principal. Squire Buster, who has been re-elected for his thirteenth year of service. It is interesting to note that the enrollment in, the colored schools in 1870 Was seventy-three, the same as in 1913. although in the latter year there were about twenty colored pupils in the white schools.

The first graduating class of the Wilinington high school was that of 1873, consisting of ten members, as follow : C. A. Bosworth, Ella Moore. Olive Linton, Eva M. Wolf, O. S. Martin. Augusta Levy, A. E. Clevenger. Epple McMillan, W. F. Grantham and D. C. Osborn. The largest class to graduate was that of 1914, containing forty-six members. The total number of graduates is six hundred thirteen, two hundred sixty- eight boys and three hundred forty-five girls many of whom have achieved distinction in scholarship, business and professions.

The schools, and especially the high school, have been largely patronized by non-

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resident pupils, the tuition of which, in the school year of 1914-15, amounted to one thousand seven hundred fifty-five dollars.

To go into the detall of the inside workings of the schools. its policies, courses of study and activities in general, is precluded by the space available for this article and by consideration of the interest and patience of the reader. Suffice it to say, that there exist no illusions among teachers or pupils as to the methods or conditions by which are grown the "fruits of the mind." There Is no "tempering of the wind to the shorn lamb" to such an extent that the lamb muy only frisk and frolic and grow no wool. Teachers and pupils live a life together which is expected to reveal and give to the pupil a true sense of that larger life that awaits him and some measure of knowledge and will and power for the solution of its problems.

The high school has held the rank of "first grade" since 1903; it was "recognized" by the Oblo State U'niversity in 1906, and fully accredited in 1908. It was put on the accredited list of the North Central College Association of the United States in 1913 and on the list accredited by Pennsylvania University in 1915. These facts are probably the most satisfactory evidence of the quality and character of the Wilmington public schools and the attitude of the people, the devotion of its teachers and the merit of Its management.

CHAPTER X.

CHURCHES OF CLINTON COUNTY.

WILMINGTON FRIENDS CHURCH.

The history of the Friends church of Wilmington up to its establishment as a yearly meeting in 1868, is more or less obscure. Records are not available to trace in detail the history of the church from its inception up to 1568 and the present article neces- sarily depends upon previous written accounts, supplemented by the memory of the older members of the church. In IND. R. C. Greene, clerk of the monthly meeting at the time and still bolling this office, compiled a history of the church from the records and such other sources as were at bls command.

From the best authority obtainable. it appears that in January. 1825. the Friends of Wilmington requested of Center monthly meeting the privilege of an indulged meet- ing. This request was granted in March, and in April of the same year the first Indulged meeting was opened in Wilmington. Joel Thornburg, Solomon Starbuck, Joseph Doan, Jr., Benjamin Farquhar, Azariah Wall. Daniel Birdsall and James Stan- hope had charge of the installation of the meeting. There is every reason to believe that a small. one-story, brick meeting house was erected in the same year on West Main street. The meeting thus established was only fairly started when a division appeared in its ranks.

Elias Hicks paid a visit to Clinton county in the fall of 1828 and, according to his autobiography. he was in the county from September 19 to 23, and spoke in the court house in Wilmington on Sunday, September 21. He spoke at four other places in the county, but makes specific mention only of the meeting at Center. He preached so effectively in Wilmington that he gained a considerable following, but just how many accepted his teaching will probably never be known, since there are no official records extant of the separate meeting which his followers set up shortly after he left town. The records of the Center meeting show that many of that congregation accepted his doctrine and that they were visited by other members of the church who sought to bring them back into the fold.

In 1828, the Hicksites, as his followers were called, had possession of the church building and of such records as had been kept. By 1:39, however, the Orthodox Friends had so recovered their strength in Wilmington that. on December 12th of that year, they requested the indulgence of a meeting for divine worship. Accordingly, the second Indulged meeting was held In Wilmington on January 24, 1839. They purchased u round-topped, octagonal-shaped brick building, which stood on the southeast corner of Columbus and Lincoln strets and which had formerly been used as a school building. The prominent members at this time were Walter and Sarah Carpenter, John Mabee, Asa Hoge, the Doans and the Haworths. This building remained their home until some time early in the sixties, when they sold it and again took possession of the church building erected in 1825. The Hicksites had apparently grown so weak that they were unable to maintain an organization and they offered no opposition to the Orthodox Friends when the latter took possession of the building which they (the Hicksites) had been using since the schism of 1828.

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The next important step taken by the Orthodox Friends of Wilmington occurred in 1868. In January of that yeur they requested Center quarterly meeting to establish a preparative and monthly meeting in Wilmington. John Carter, David Curl, Jona- than Balley. Abel Beven, Mark Peelle, Charles T. Morman, Asn Walker and Peter Osborn were appointed to take the matter under consideration and at the next quarterly meeting. upon the favorable report of this committee. the request was granted. The Center quarterly meeting appointed JJobn M. Pidgeon. Wiliam P. Harvey, Eber . Halnes, Thomas Walthol, David Curl, Mary T. Bailey, Amy Starbuck, Rachel M. Hadley and Eliza Osborn to attend the first monthly meeting at Wilmington, which was set for May 12, 1868. Hiram Coate and Abigail J. Hadley were clerks of the Center quarterly meeting at this time. The Wilmington monthly meeting was established with one hundred seventy-eight members, representing three monthly meetings, as follows: Cen- ter. one hundred nineteen: Springfield, thirty-seven; Dover, twenty-two.

The first minister obtaining a minute for religious service was David Hadley. The first minlater visiting the monthly meeting with a minute was David Hunt from Honey C'reck (Iowa) monthly meeting. The second minister obtaining a minute for service wax Mary N. Hadley. The second minister visiting the monthly meeting with a minute Was Hazael D. Greene, from Fairfield ( Ohio) monthly meeting, accompanied by Gershem Perdue as traveling companion. The first Friends recorded as ministers were Levi Mills and Heury Merrill ( November, 1574). Since that date three others have been recorded as ministers-Jonathan B. Wright, May, 183; Louis T. Jones, February, 1909, and Alexander C. Purdy. August, 1912.

From the establishment of the monthly meeting In 1968. until 1001, the church was in charge of ministers who served without salary. During this period of thirty-three years some voted men preached at various times. In the seventies John Henry and Il bert Walter Douglass, brothers, often preached at Wilmington. The former is prob- ably the most noted evangelist the Friends church ever had in the United States and Wilmington was glad to claim him as a resident for nearly a derade. He, as well as his brother, preached not only in various parts of the United States, but also in England as well. Both of the brothers are still living. But the one man who did more for the church during this period (1865-1001) than any other person was Levi Mills, the present probate judge of Clinton county. Becoming a minister in 1874, he preached in the Wilmington meeting for more than twenty years, and during much of this time preached regularly. Before 1001 many of the professors in Wilmington College flled the pulpit at Intervals, the most prominent being Benjamin Trueblood.

The first regular pastor with a salary was engaged in 1901. Since that date the following pastors have served the church: Robert E. Pretlow, 1901-06: Prof. Edgar H. Stranahon. 1:41-47; Richard Newby, 1907-10; Ellison R. Purdy, 1910 to the present time.

Wilmington monthly meeting has established two churches in the county. A pre- parative meeting was established at Sabina in Mareb, 1877. and this was changed to a monthly meeting in September. 1800. The Cuba preparative meeting was set up in August, INMi, and the church at that place still remains under the jurisdiction of the Wilmington monthly meeting. The East Wilmington mission was opened In November. 18SS, and, in March, 1850, a committee was appointed to have charge of the work. A full discussion of this mission is given later on Ju this article.

The following persons bave served as clerks of the monthly meeting: Benjamin Farquahar, one year; Amos Hockett, two years; John C. Cook. ten years: James B. l'uthank, one year: John C. Cook, one year; James B. Unthank, one year; Isaiah Peelle, eleven years; James B. U'nthank, two years; R. C. Greene, three years; Franklin 8. Lamar, one year; R. C. Greene, eight years. Mr. Greene Is the present clerk. There were separate business meetings for the men and women from 198 to 1885, the two

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

being consolidated in March, 1880. The clerks of the women's meeting were as follow : Caroline E. Harlin, two years: Rhoda Worthington, eleven years; Carrie Hadley, three years; Eunice Lewis, one year.

The present pastor of the church is Ellison R. Purdy ; the resident ministers are John M. Watson, Sarah Caroline Hadley, Levi Mills, Albert J. Brown and Waldo Woody. Alexander C. Purdy is a non-resident minister. The other officers of the church are Richard C. Greene, clerk ; Ethel 8. McCoy, recorder and assistant clerk ; Charles Farquhar, treasurer; C. Grant Fairley. Bible school superintendent ; Ruth Farquhar, superintendent of the Friends mission of Ada chapel; A. I. Bailey, J. W. Sparks and Elijah Peelle, trustees. The elders of the church are Ellen C. Wright. Hugh McCoy, Margaret McCoy, Austin Jones, Ruth Farquhar, Mary A. Mather, Francis Farquhar, Alonzo A. Linton, C. Grant Fairley, Estber Peelle, James F. Smith, Emmet W. Hale, Ann C. Brackney, Ada Jenkins, Richard C. Greene, Margaretta Peelle, Harriet W. Purdy. Charles Farquhar. Milton J. Farquhar, Laurenna Farquhar and Lura Hun- nicutt. The church overseers are Josiah W. Sparks, Laura B. Sparks, Wilson Hunni- cutt. Sarah Peelle, Ellen C. Hadley and Mary E. Balley. The pastoral committee is composed of the ministers, the elders and the overseers. The work of the church is under the direction of the following committeex: Home missions, foreign missions, peace, temperance, finance, social, music, Bible school, funeral and slek. The auxiliary organizations are the Women's Foreign Missionary Society, the Ladies' Ald Soclety, Ladies' Social Circle, Christian Endeavor, Intermediate Christian Endeavor and Junior Christian Endeavor.

As has been stated, the Friends, In the early sixties, took possession of the build- ing which had been erected in 1825. This was sold in 1870 and a brick school build- ing, which stood on the site of the present church, was purchased. This was used as a house of worship until 1895, when it was torn down to make way for the beautiful stone structure which now occupies the same site. The new church was dedicated on July 19, 1896.

Wilmington yearly meeting of Friends, with headquarters at Wilmington, was Incorporated under the laws of Ohio and set off by the Indiana yearly meeting in 1802. It comprises the three quarterly meetings of Fairfield, Center and Minmi, in Ohio, and Friendsville quarterly meeting, in eastern Tennessee. The yearly meeting bad a miem- bership of six thousand five hundred and seventy-two according to the report of 1915. the larger portion of whom reside in Clinton county. I'pon the establishment of the yearly meeting in 1802, James B. U'nthank was elected clerk, or presiding officer, and continued in the same honorary office until 1903, when he retired from Wilmington College and moved to Indiana. Jonathan Wright succeeded him and acted as clerk until 1907, when he was compellel to retire because of ill health. Albert J. Brown has held the office since 1908.

It is a matter of pride to the local church that it is the second largest in the world. being surpassed only by the Whittler meeting in California. It is also noteworthy that Clinton county has more Friends within its boundaries than any other county in the L'nited States in proportion to its size.

ADA CHAPEL.

The history of Ada chapel, or East Wilmington mission, dates back to 1858, when Lizzie I. Marvey took the first step toward the establishment of the mission. Mrs. Harvey, who died on March 23, 1890, was a teacher in the primary department of the Wilmington schools for six years. Among the children under her care she found many cases of absence caused by poverty. In visiting the homes of some of the children. she became convinced that the church could be an influential factor in bettering conditions in many of them.

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Accordingly, she obtained permission from the Friends church to hold a gospel meeting in one of the rude homes. In the afternoon of November 5. 1888, in company with her husband and seven friends, Mrs. Harvey met at this place to hold a religious meeting. Besides the women of the household. there were present a few school chli- dren. These meetings in private homs In East Wilmington were continued under the guidance of Mrs. Harvey alone until March, 1889. At that time she requested the monthly meeting to help her In some way. Her request was granted and a committee was appointed to relieve her of her work and continue it along the same general plan which she had worked out. This committee was composed of Lizzie R. Harvey, Curo- line E. Nordyke. Alzina W. Barlow, Susannah Gallup, Rebecca Haworth, Azariah W. Doan and Aat Nordyke, to which committee were later added James Fisher and Dinah Unthank.

Finally, n small room, twelve by fourteen feet, situated opposite the colored Baptist church, was rented for two dollars per month. This was paid by a collection from the members each week. However, the attendance increased until this room proved inade- quate. Through the efforts of the Christian Endeavor Society, the matter of building a more suitable place for holding the meetings was brought before the monthly busi- ness meetings of the Friends, which, after some deliberation, instructed the Christian Endeavor to go on with the work, and consented that the trustees should have charge of the property, which was purchased in October, 1892.

Caroline Nordyke, who, with others, had labored faithfully since the beginning of the work, secured subscriptions of several dollars which had not been collected. Clara Todhunter was given charge of this list, and received one hundred ninety-six dollars, including forty-two dollars from the Christian Endeavor; also donations from Friends. citizens, and the members of the mission themselves, totaling about two hundred and seventy-five dollars. The little chapel was inclosed in August, 1893, and was in con- stant use until 1911.

Mrs. Harvey did not live to see the complete realization of her plans, dying within less than a year after the monthly meeting bad taken charge of her work in 1859. Many times her heart was burdened and she said, "If the work were mine, I should feel discouraged; but, since it Is the Lord's. I will trust Him to care for It. Praise His name. He is able." In the little account which she kept of these meetings, is found the following prayer: "February 10, 1889-God save Wilmington, and raise up a little mission chapel In Clarktown." This prayer was answered in a most striking manner when, on November 5. 1911. a beautiful brick edifice was dedicated which had been erected through the generosity of Mrs. Ada H. Jenkins. In honor of Mrs. Jenkins, the building was called the Ada chapel.

During the past four years the work of the mission has been steadily enlarged and its influence for good in the community which It serves cannot be overestimated. Classes in sewing, cooking and domestic science and arts have been established; religious and educational work is maintained and every effort made to appeal to the young people of the community in a way to direct them toward a higher plane of living.

To its able and enthusiastic workers too much credit cannot be given. Mrs. Jenkins is not content to bestow "the gift without the giver." but is a tireless and efficient worker, always at her post of duty. Miss Ruth Farquhar has been superintendent of the mission for many years. From the beginning it has received the best efforts of Miss Farquhar and in her management of its many and varied interests she has dis- played administrative and executive ability of a high order.

FAIRVIEW FRIENDA CHURCH.

The Fairview Friends church is located in Green township about four miles north of New Vienna, on the Wilmington-Highland pike. The church was organized in 1500

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

and at once erected a house of worship. The leader in the organization of the new church was John Henry Douglas, who held a very remarkable series of revival meet- Ings in the neighborhood in 1868-60. Before the pastoral system was adopted, Israel Terrell and John Fisher for many years "sat at the head of the meeting." Among the ministers who have served this church may be mentioned Allen Terrell, Lizzie Mar- shall, Emma Townshend, Robert Luttrell. Elizabeth Larkins, J. Waldo Woody, Levi Millis, Josephus Hoskins and Frank Barrett. The present membership is one hundred and seventy-five. In 1911 a new church was erected at a cost of about nine thousand dollars

DOVER FRIENDS CHURCHI.

The Dover meeting began as au indulged meeting sometime after Center was granted the same privilege in 1505. There were not sufficient members at first ro war- rant the erection of a building, so they worshipped at the home of Ezekiel Frazier for some time. Ax the Friends became more numerous, they wished to have a preparatory meeting established, and, upon requesting Center monthly meeting for this privilege, It was granted without delay. The Dover monthly meeting dates from September, 1824.

The first house of worship was a rude log structure which stood several rods north- east of the present building. The present brick building was erected In 1844 on ground deeded (January 13, 1824) by Amos Hodgson to Daniel Bailey and Gayer Starbuck. trustees of Dover meeting, in consideration of three dollars. The one and one-half neres donated lie in survey No. 1.236.

The recorded ministers of Dover monthly meeting since 1524 bave been as follows: John Parson, 1845; Wilson Carter, 1550; John Henry Douglass, 1555; Cyrus R. Carter, 1550: John M. Pidgeon and Louis Hunt. 1866: William P. Gallimore, 1969; Isaac Peelle. 1871: Mienjab F. Moorman. 1872: Josephus Hoskins, 1874. Mr. Hoskins became the principal minister about 1850 and served the meeting most acceptably until about 1905. Since that year I. Lindley Jones, Prof. Samuel H. Haworth. Prof. Waldo Woody and Prof. Albert J. Brown have served the church. The present membership is one hundred and sixty. A Sunday school, with an average attendance of eighty, is maintained throughout the year.

NEW BURLINGTON FRIENDS CHURCH.

The Friends church at New Burlington dates back to IST1, in which year the meeting was set up by Caesar's Creek monthly meeting. Among the charter members were Joseph Painter and family, Amos Hawkins and family. Phares Compton and fan- Ny. Ell Compton and wife, Amos and Ann Mendenhall Compton and children, Dr. Reuja- min Farquhar and family. John and Sarah Grant. Peter DeHaven and family. In 1870 the meeting bought the abandoned building of the Wesleyan Methodists in New Bur- lington and continued to use it until the present brick building was erected in 1894. It cost forty five hundred dollars and was dedicated in January. 1535. Among the ministers of the meeting have been James Hawkins, Benjamin Walton, Edward R. Walton and Fosse Hawkins, the present pastor. The membership in 1915 is one hun- dred and sixty-three. The following auxiliaries are represented in the church : Snb- bath school, Christian Endeavor and Women's Foreign Missionary Society.

CUBA FRIENDA CHURCH.

The Cuba Friends' church dates from the organization of a preparative meeting at Cuba some twenty-five years ago. The early history of the congregation cannot be neurately ascertained because the first record books were destroyed when the neigh- borhood was visited with diphtheria some years later. The inspired spirit of the organ- ization was Eliza Bates, who lived in the country near Cuba. She started a campaign for subscriptions for the purebase of a lot, which she bought of Peter Clevenger. She -

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then appeared before the Martinsville monthly meeting and asked their aid in the purchase of a necessary house for church purposes. The sum needed was one hun- dred and twenty-five dollars. They appointed a committee to visit Cuba and decided that the undertaking was an Impossible one. Mrs. Bates then carried the matter before the Wilmington monthly meeting, which also sent out a committee to look over the situation. They likewise thought that the building selected was not satisfacory. but encouraged her in her efforts and promised their aid and support. Meanwhile a tent bad been purchased and a few meetings held on the lot. Mrs. Bates, with renewed courage, decided that a building could be built. She went to Alfred Villars, who gave all the rough timber necessary. A quarry north of Wilmington donated the stone for the foundation and Brown & Clark did the swing. The men of the neighborhood came In with their teams, did the grading, dug the foundations and did the hauling and were rewarded for their services by a feast prepared by the women. The carpenters of the neighborhood donated their time and labor. Part of the lumber was carried on their backs from the saw mill near the railroad. The building was soon finished and hecame known as Quaker Hill Chapel. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. Ben- jamin Morris. A Sabbath school was soon organized. The little band struggled on. fighting hard for existence, recruiting its members slowly. An organ was obtained n few months after the founding. Among the early ministers of the church may be mentioned the names of John Cook, who drove from Beech Grove; John Hawkins. James Craig. Albert Jones. Eldon Ross. A great and noble part in the early organiza- tion of the church was taken by Mrs. C. C. Clark, who was the superintendent of the first Sunday school, and the constant aid of Eliza Bates.

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History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, Part 19

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1108

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1108