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 21

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 21

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The present membership of the church reaches nearly four hundred: the Sunday school enrolls about three hundred and the Epworth League about fifty. Of the present official board. C. C. Nichols. D. M. Rudduck, A. H. Hains, C. R. Fisher. Amy F. Hale and Emma 8. Jones have ench served twenty-five years or more, while J. S. Kimbrough, S. D. Chancellor, William Mann, G. M. Colvin, George Buckley and L. G. Bangham, In other churches before coming to Wilmington, hare, with their terms here. filled the places of stewards or trustees for an equal period. For twenty-seven years C. R. Fisher has been in charge of the music in the church, and his father was chorister for nearly as long a period before him. Mrs. C. R. Fisher has been organist for nineteen years. It is inter- esting to note that Mrs. Sarah Hale and Mrs. Mary Hale Brindle were both members of the church for more than three quarters of a century.

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The family of the first class-leader, Levi Sheppard, had been for one hundred years continuously on the church roll till the death of his grandson. Frank 8. Broomball, in October, 1913. Among the early families of this congregation who are yet represented in our membership we note the names of the following: Austin, Sewell. Hale, Rudduck, Sayres, Fisher. Fuller, Russell, Hinman, Brindle, Lacy, Shewalter, Frazer, Darbyshire, James, O'Neal and Quinn.

There have gone from this church Into the ministry, A. D. Raleigh. G. M. Edgar, A. B. Austin and the present district superintendent. C. M. Van Pelt, who was born and reared In the bounds of this parish. And as minister's wives, Mrs. Raleigh, Mrs. Edgar and Mrs. Stephen Holland may be mentioned.

Among those holding places in Methodist and other colleges and academies may be noted C. B. Austin, Frank Austin, H. M. Buckley, A. C. Conger. Eva Wolf and Ollle Austin. Denconesses Sarah Ireland and Rbua Deakin were members of this congregation. And hundreds have gone to other communities to bless the world, and enrich the life of the church and kingdom wherever their lot has been cast. In these hundred years not less than two thousand five hundred people have been affiliated with this church, and the work it has done for them, and through them for the Kingdom of God, only eternity will reveal. Every form of Christian activity, evangelistic, educational, social and benevolent, bas been fostered and forwarded by Wilmington Methodism.

CENTENNIAL SERVICES.

By action of the official board, Sundays. December 7 and 14, 1913, were nnmed as the dates for the centennial celebration. On the first date the pastor presented the salient fuets of the church's history, and on December 14. the Rev. George H. Dart. D. D., who was pastor of the church at the semi-centennial in 1863, was present and preached to the delight and profit of all.

The pastor, with C. C. Nichols and D. M. Rudduck, was appointed a committee to pre- pare for publication a short history of the century of the church's life, and a roster of its present members.

The different church organizations are all doing effective and acceptable work. The Sunday school is prosperous and successful. The Epworth League is accomplishing help- ful results in the life of our young people. The Ladies' Aid Society is alert, efficient and loyal, a mighty force and factor in the material, social and religious life of the church, and through it. of our community. Both of the woman's missionary societies, foreign and home. are rendering splendid service in cultivating a broad and comprehensive grasp of the church's work in the whole world and giving largely in both fields of toil, for the speedy accomplishment of that great purpose. There is no great Christian enterprise on earth, to which Wilmington Methodism does not contribute its prayers and means.

THE PASTOBATE.

Wilmington was on a cirenit from the beginning of the organization of the church until 1849 and since then has been an independent charge. The list of ministers, with the dates of their service, is here given as published in the last church directory : William Austin, 1813; William Burke, 1814; R. W. Finley and J. Oglesby. 1815: R. Bigelow and J. Waterman, 1816; Samuel Brown and Francis Landrum, 1817-18; B. Westlake and H. Brown. 1810-20; J. C. Brooke and T. S. Helt. 1821; B. Lawrence and W. Walker. 1522-23; (In 1524 Wilmington became the head of the circuit) N. B. Griffith, 1824; John Sale, 1825: Andrew F. Baxter. 1826; John S. Taylor, 1827; Riebard Brandriff, 1828; G. W. Maley. 1820-30; James Qunn and J. M. Goshorn, 1831; W. D. Barrett and C. W. Swain. 1832-33: J. W. Clark and R. Chaney. 15334; F. Butler and Z. Wharton. 1535: J. Laws, 8. H. Holland and Werter Davis, 1536-37; W. D. Barret, 1838; James Quinn, 1839: J. W. Howland and James Quinn, 1840; E. B. Chase and Z. Connell. 1911-42; L. P. Miller and I. N. Mark, 1843; W. Parish and D. C. Johnson, 1844; J. J. Hill and O. P. Williams,

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1845; J. W. Keeley and C. J. Meredith, 1846; J. F. Chalfant and S. M. Merrill, 1847 ; A. W. Tibbetts, W. B. Jackson, 1848.

In 1849, Wilmington became a station and since then the pastors have been : J. W. Fowble, 1849; J. F. Conrey, 1850-51; W. S. Morrow, 1852; C. H. Lawton, 1853-54; T. Collett, 1855-56; H. Baker, 1837; J. W. Cassatt, 1858; T. S. Dunn, 1859; 8. A. Brewster, 1800: G. H. Dart, 1881-62; A. Meharry, 1803-65; S. D. Clayton, 1866-67; 8. Weeks, 1868; H. M. Keck, 1809; A. U. Beall, 1870; William Runyan, 1871-73; L. F. Van Cleve, 1874-75; J. P. Porter, 1876-78; C. Ferguson, 1879-1880; J. H. Leane, 1881-83; James Stephenson, 1884-86: G. W. Kelley, 1887-88; H. D. Ketcham, 1880-91 ; E. T. Lane, 1892-94; A. N. Spahr, 1895-97; John Pearson, D. W. Clark, 1898; C. F. Enyart, 1890; E. T. Wells, 1900-01; J. 8. Pumphrey, 1902-06; C. L. Conger, 1907-14; J. J. Richards, 1914.

BLANCHESTER METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The adherents of the Methodist Episcopal faith had made several attempts to establish a church in Blanchester prior to 1878, but failed. In the fall of that year the Cincinnati conference determined to take the work up and establish a church here. The population of the town was nine hundred. but there were only seven members of this fulth to be found in the village. The cabinet appointed Rev. A. Hamilton to the Butlerville charge, with the understanding that Blanchester should be a part of the work, Rev. J. F. Bail being the presiding elder.

Arrangements were made for preaching in the Free-Will Baptist church for a stipulated rent. Reverend Hamilton organized the first permanent Methodist Episco- pal church society in Blanchester. December 23, 1878, with the following charter mem- bers: John Johnson, Emily Johnson, Viola Johnson, Philip A. Snyder. Barbara Sny- der, Margaret A. Arnold, Catherine Crosson.

In the following year they determined to build a church home. It was a heroic undertaking, considering their number and financial ability. The summer was spent In securing subscriptions and In planning, in the fall of 1879 the foundation was laid, and in the spring of 1850 the church building was commenced and completed in the summer of the same year. It was in semi-Gothle style, with a senting capacity of two hundred and sixty, and built at a cost of four thousand dollars. It was dedicated on August 22, 1880, by Bishop Peck, of Syracuse, New York, who returned the pastor for the third year, at the end of which time he left but two hundred dollars on subscriptions to collect and one hundred and seventeen members.

The trustees at this time who assisted in putting through the erection of the new building were: D. H. Moon, P. A. Snyder, J. Chivington, Isnae Starkey. Owen West, Charles Lee. Wilson Gaskill, E. M. Mulford and John Johnson.

For fifteen years this church society was served by faithful pastors with varied success. In the fall of 1895 Reverend Hamilton was appointed to the church for the second time, with the understanding that the church society proceed to remodel and enlarge the first structure. "Man proposes, God disposes." On October 18. 1895, the great fre, which swept Blanchester. consumed the first Methodist Episcopal church, leveling the brick walls that had stond the wear of years without even a crack.

After a struggle, the church and Sunday school found a home in the Primitive Baptist church at a fair rental. But they were compelled to build. with but one thousand dollars insurance and a debt of nine hundred dollars on the parsonage to offset that. At the first meeting of the trustees, formal action was taken authorizing the pastor to secure plans for acceptance. D. H. Moon, H. G. Gates and Frank Losh were appointed as a building committee, with the pastor as superintendent. The work was slow, owing to the large number of buildings being erected at this time.

The style of the church is pure Gothic, with cathedral windows in handsome design. It has a seating capacity of six hundred. Its furniture is of the latest pattern and

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desigu. It is frescoed in an artistic manner, with electric fixtures of brass, with English gilt duish in beautiful design. The foundation stone is from Greenfield and the white sandstone and coping from Cleveland, while the pressed brick for the walls is of a dark red color. It was built at an outlay of from nine thousand to ten thousand dollars. The dedication services were held on April 4. 1807. Dr. Charles H. Payne, D. D., LL. D., of New York, officiating, assisted by Dr. T. H. Pearne, presiding elder, Dr. Louis Curtis, of Cincinnati, and otbers, with suitable services during the week, closing Sunday, April 11, by sermon from Doctors Gullette and Spabr.

The membership at present numbers over four hundred, the Sunday school, three hundred; with two ladies' societies and a promising Epworth League, with senior, intermediate and Junior chapters in good working order. The church and Its workings are harmonious in every respect. The ministers who have served this society from the beginning to the present time are: Alexander Hamilton, 1878-80; J. F. McColm, 1881-83; H. D. Ketchum, 1884; HI. D. Ketcham and A. T. Cowgill, 1885; F. M. Kirgan and Rer. Thompson. 1886; Rev. Crawford and Ira E. Trice, 1887; Charles J. Hartley, 1888; Reuben MeColm, 1889: C. I. WInget, 1800-91; James H. McNary, 1892-94; Alexander Hamilton, 1895-97; Charles H. Haines, 1898-90; George W. Vorbis, 1901-05; A. T. Cowgill, 1906-07; Rev. Bailey, 1908-9: Walter Nash, 1909-11; Walter Gray, 1911-13: and the present incumbent, Rev. C. B. Stevens, who came to this charge in September, 1914.

NEW VIENNA METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Methodist Episcopal church at New Vienna traces its history back to about 1842, when the first class was formed under the evangelistic efforts of Rer. C. R. Warrington, an Itinerant prencher. He succeeded in organizing a small congregation. so small, however, that they were not able to build a church. They rented the Baptist church for a year and then fitted up a private dwelling, then standing on a lot occupied In Inter years by Mrs. Eliza Dennis. They continued to hold services in this building until 1850, when they erected a building near the site of the present church.

Mra. Mary Bowers was the first member of the church and the only Methodist in the town when the Rev. Warrington began his first revival. Among the charter members were Thomas Hale and wife, Jonathan Wright and wife, Eliza Matthews, William and Ann Noble, Thomas Williams and Julla Moyer, later the wife of Rev. C. H. Savage. It has not been possible to obtain a complete list of the ministers who have served the church. The list which follows gives their names In approximately the order in which they served : C. B. Warrington. Francis A. Timmons, James Webb, Jeremiah Ellsworth. Levi Cunningham, T. M. Gossard, Anthony Musgrove (a blind man). Joseph Gatch, John S. Jackson, Allen Thompson. D. Calahan, A. N. Spahr, S. A. Brewster, H. Stoken. T. A. G. Phillips, M. P. Zink, E. H. Field, John Shinn, James Porter, Wesley Webster, J. H. Middleton. S. W. Edminston, J. R. Hunter. J. MeShultz, Lafayette Young. R. E. Smith, G. M. Edgar. J. G. Black and Gilbert P. Austin, the present pastor.

In 1876 the church started to erect a new building, but it was not completed until 1884. The building is a two-story brick structure and cost about ten thousand dollars. The lower story was completed several years before the upper, and services were held on the ground floor until money was raised to finish the upper story.

The auxiliaries of the church include a flourishing Sunday school of two hundred members, under the superintendency of B. T. Penn, and the Epworth League, under the presidency of Kathleen Hnines. The church membership now numbers one hundred and fifty.

SABINA METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Methodist Episcopal church at Sabina was organized by Rev. William Smith in 1850, with about thirty members. The same minister bad beld services for the five

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years previous in a school house, but no organization had been effected. George Brown, J. H. Middleton and D. H. Sargent were prominent pastors during the infancy of the church. In 1800 the congregation bought a lot formerly occupied by a distillery for two hundred and seventy-five dollars, In 1862 they built a frame structure, at a cost of three thousand dollars.

The list of pastors, as taken from the records of the church, is as follows: J. H. Middleton, 1860; J. Botkin and J. F. Hull. 1861 ; D. H. Sargent, 1862; Elisha Parke. 1862; M. N. Maxey (served only three months on account of his health), 1803: W. G. Smith, 1863; Nimrod MeDonald, 1864; Samuel Brown. 1865; Samuel Brown and Reverend Lloyd, a local preacher, 1860; A. D. Raleigh, 1867-68 (during 1868 the cfrcult was changed 80 as to throw Sabina and Reesville together) ; II. Wren tof Wren, the record says, "Nothing to say-only Sabina couldn't go him nor he them, so they left each other alone in their separate glory") ; O. N. Marsh, 1570 (in this year the record states that there were eighty-two full members, ninety-aix probationers and that seventy-one had been baptized ) ; J. I. Taggart, 1872-73; E. M. Cole, 1874; D. Lee Aultman. 1875 (Aultman was sick with the typhoid fever and D. S. Ferguson was secured to finish out the year) ; D. læe Ault- man. 1876-77; at this point there is a gap in the church records until 1866; J. W. K. Shultz. 1886 (in this year services at Reesville, which had been attached to Sabina, were discontinued ) : J. M. Davis, 1889-04; J. R. Colley. 1994-96 (in September, 1804, Sabina became an independent charge: a church was erected at Sabina. at a cost of $11,000. and a parsonage built, at a cost of two thousand dollars) : Gilbert P. Austin, 1896-1901; R. K. Deem. 1901-4: William M. Coffman, 1904-07: J. S. Pumphrey, 1907-13; J. E. Thomas, 1913-14; D. M. Stafford, since 1914.

AFRICAN METHODIAT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The African Methodist Episcopal church of Wilmington dates back to 1833. when Wiley Runnella, of Cincinnati, came to the town and held the first meeting at the home of William Brown on the corner of South and Sugartree streets. At this time the church was formally organized with the following charter members: James Wheeler. James Ward, James Kimble, William Stewart, Anna Rutledge, Miunie Kimble, Mary Prior. James Lucas, Winnie Goode nud Sarah Payne. The meetings were held at private homes until 1835 when a rude log church was erected on Lincoln street. This building was in use outil 1852 when the present brick building was erected, at a cost of eight hundred dol- lars. In 1879-80 nearly a thousand dollars was expended in remodeling the building and in May, 1880. It was rededicated by Rev. E. Cumberland, of Greenfield, Oblo, and Reverend Mortimer, of Cincinnati. A collection of one hundred and fifty dollars was taken up in the afternoon to apply on the church debt. The congregation has long since paid all of Its obligations and is now on a sound basis and doing good work among the colored people of Wilmington.

Early records of the church are missing and It has been Impossible to secure a com- plete list of the ministers with the dates of their service. As near as can be ascertained. the following list is the order in which the ministers have served the church : Revs. Lee Watkins. T. Hogan, Edward White. A. March, Charles Bundy, Charles Green. K. W. Toney. W. J. Johnston. M. R. Wilson. J. T. Byrd. J. 8. Ferguson. J. W. Barher. R. A. Adams, H. N. Smith, A. Knox, Jesse Smith, J. H. Meredith. Charles Dorsey. Charles Newsome. John Coleman. George Williams C. D. White. T. W. Woodson. F. D. Day. C. E. Williams. W. T. Bock, and Charles H. Sheene, the present pastor. The church now enrolls one hundred and twenty-nine members. A Sabbath school and Ladies' Aid Society are maintained and are accomplishing good work in their respective spheres. This church has been a potent force for good during its whole career of more than elghty years and. under the ministrations of the present pastor. Is increasing its usefulness year by year.

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SABINA AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The African Methodist Episcopal church at Sabina, locally known as Allen chapel, was organized by Rev. Charles Bundy on January 1, 1879. In a brick school house on North Hulse street. The charter members were Rev. John D. White, Edward Rolins, Martha Patterson, Catherine Logan, Patience Morrell, Ellza J. Lytle, Emma Lytle, Emma Wadkins, Mary Fields, Dorias Mitchell, Leo Morrell, Margaret Jones, Jobu Fields and Simpson Mitchell. The congregation worshipped in the colored school building until about 1853 when they bought a lot and erected a building at a cost of a thousand dollars. On March 22, 1885, the church was completely destroyed by fire, but within a year a new building was erected under the direction of the pastor. Rev. Moses R. Wilson, and dedi- ented by Bishop Campbell. The second building cost six hundred ninety-eight dollars and twenty-five cents.

The pastors of the church from the beginning are as follow : Charles Bundy, Moses R. Wilson, R. M. Turner, John W. Steward, J. W. Young, Charles Gray, W. J. Johnson, W. I. Tolliver, M. M. Smith, D. D. Lewis, Thomas E. Knox, F. D. Taylor, S. W. White, H. E. Newsome. A. F. Simmons, H. A. Grant. R. P. Clark, T. W. Johnson, H. H. Edwards and J. P. Maxwell, the present pastor. There are sixty-five members at the present time.

SABINA METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

As early as 1530 the Methodist Protestants had commenced to hold services in Rich- land township, at the home of John Harper. in the Posey survey, Two years later the little congregation began holding meetings at the home of E. Roberts and continued to meet there regularly until 1841. In that year they built a church on the Roberts farm, which became known as the Bethel church. This church was burned a few years later and was at once rebuilt ou the old site. The congregation remained here until 1800, when they decided to build a church in the town of Sabina at a cost of three thousand dollars. This was a one-story frame structure, with a seating capacity of about three hundred and fifty. Upon the completion of the church in Sabina the congregation at the Bethel church removed in a body to Sabina and discontinued the old church. The frame building in Sabina stood for many years and was eventually replaced by the present ten-thousand- dollar brick edifice. The church also has a membership of two hundred and ninety. It maintains a Sunday school, but has no other auxillary organizations The present pastor of the church is Rev. A. I .. Reynolds.

Among the ministers of the church may be mentioned the following: Jonathan Flood, Alzed MeGuire, Benjamin Ryan, Joel Dalbey. A. H. Trumbo, William Evans, A. H. Bassett, R. Rose. R. T. Boyd, J. M. Young, J. H. Webster. R. Dobbins, A. Channell, J. J. White, S. H. Ebans. E. P. Winans, G. W. Fowler. J. R. Thompson, A. V. Shepherd, C. C. Caddy, W. E. Stubbs. J. M. Littler, M. V. B. Evans, G. W. Leadom, T. D. Howe, W. B. Warrington. Z. D. Hickman, P. F. Johnson. P. B. Chaney. O. P. Stevens, W. Ravencraft, J. Hastings, A. N. Barlow, J. W. Spring. A. B. Kingsley, J. Shepherd and Dr. A. L. Reynolds, the present pastor.

FORT WILLIAM METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

The Methodist Protestants of Liberty township built their first house of worship in 1832 under the leadership of Samuel Haynes and William Ireland. Haynes donated the ground on which the church was erected, became one of the first trustees, was a deacon for many years and during his whole life was a zealous worker in his denom- ination. Other prominent members In the early history of the church were Ohed Waln. Andrew Strickle and James Antram. The first building was a log structure and was replaced by a frame building in 1844. After the death of Haynes, on February 17, 1864, the interest began to wane and in a few years meetings were discontinued alto- gether. This first Methodist Protestant church was locally known as Mt. Pleasant. Several years Inter there was a revival of interest in the church in Liberty township

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which resulted in the organization of a congregation at Port William and the erection of a substantial brick building at that piace. This church has been maintained regu- larly since Its re-establishment in the village and is now in charge of Rev. Charles Cultzbach. The last report to the conference credits this church with two hundred and forty-three members and a Sunday school enrollment of two hundred and seventy- seven.

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCHES OF MELVIN AND BEESVILLE.

There have been Methodist Protestant churches at Melvin and Reesville for many years, but neither congregation is very strong at the present time. Both churches have buildings and have maintained more or less regular services. In 1915 Rev. John Mer- cer, a minister of the U'uited Brethren church, was the pastor of both churches.

VILLARS CHAPEL AND CLARKSVILLE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCHES.

The Methodist Protestant churches at Villars Chapel and Clarksville owe their existence to the zeni of one man, the late James Villars. He erected the church known as Villars chapel in 1808. the Inscription plate In the front of the building reading: "James Villars Chapel, 1868, Free for all Christian Denominations." This is a large, two-story building and is one of the largest houses of worship in the county. During the summer of 1915 it was completely overhauled and now presents a very attractive appearance on the Interior. At the present time the pastor is Rev. Hamilton. The church at Clarksville was also the gift of Mr. Villars, but it long ago ceased to hobl services, About 1004 the building was sold to Frank Hoggett. who converted it into a stable. He also bought the parsonage and it is now used as a private residence.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WILMINGTON.

The First Baptist church of Wilmington was organized on August 6. 1853. At the meeting at which it was organized delegates from the churches at Caesar's creek, Jonah's run, Port William. Spring Valley, Washington, Cedarville, Centerville and Cowan's creek were present. The original membership was composed of the following: James 8. Hoblett. Dr. Joseph K. Sparks, Robert and Mary Wood, William Williams, James Phillips. J. C. C Dowden, Sterling Bartlett, Rhoda Morris. Mary Hoblett. Elizabeth Darbysbire, Olive Bartlett and Hannah Griffith. The first board of trustees consisted of James S. Hoblett, J. K. Sparks, Robert Wood and William Williams. Elder &. Marshall was the first pastor. The board of trustees agreed, on September 13. 1853, to build a church building. at a cost of about ten thousand dollars, and a neat one-story brick structure, size about sixty-six hy forty-four feet. was constructed. The edifice was dedi- cated on the last Sunday of July, 1854. In 1865, a square tower was added to the front of the church, at a cost of about fifteen hundred dollars. In 1871. about four thousand dollars was spent in the remodeling of the church, a gallery was constructed across the rear of the room, new pews put in, the walls frescoed and new stained glass windows added. The re-opening of the church took place on Sunday, June 4. 1871, with a sermon by Doctor Jeffrey, of Cincinnati, who preached from the following words, "Who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all Iniquity, and purify unto Himself n peculiar people zealous for good works."

In 1914 this church built a new edifice of stone, hard brick and tile. The interior is finished in beautiful dark oak. The auditorium has a seating capacity of about seven hundred persons. A new pipe organ is to be Installed by September 1. of this year (1915). The new church cost twenty-seven thousand dollars.

The membership in 1915 included two hundred and one persons with a total mem- bership from the beginning of about seven hundred. Its auxiliary works are the Sabbath school, the Young People's Society, the Ladies' Ald Society, the Women's Missionary Society and the Young Ladies' Missionary Society.

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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 21

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