History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 33

Author: D. W. Ensign & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 541

USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 33

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).

"Such success never attended any previous efforts at reformation, and no other people ever had greater reason than we to thank God for the past, and to take courage for the future.

" Nothing has ever occurred in the history of this town of such importance to the world as the sermon delivered by Walter Scott in that unpretending frame building on the hill north of us. Its echoes have gone round the world ; myriads of hearts have been gladdened; the teachings of

other religious bodies have been modified by the truth which he and his fellow-laborers so ably and earnestly presented ; and, great as the visible and direct results have been in the gathering together of a great and influential religious body, I have no doubt but that the indirect results have been equally great. These consist in part in weakening the authority of human tradition, calling attention to a neglected Bible, insisting on a teaching and practice which has ex- press warrant in the word of God, and, more than all, in promoting the spirit of Christian union, which now prevails to an extent and degree unknown before. This latter work was a marked feature in the public efforts of all our early public teachers; next to the conversion of souls, they labored for the fulfillment of the Saviour's prayer for the unity of his people; and had the disciples done nothing save this, they have been a blessing to the world.

"Their platform of union-the Bible, and that only-is that to which all parties are tending, and where they must at last meet and unite. The tokens of this desirable con- summation are cheering, and we say, God speed the day !

" Having recently returned to this house of worship, which for months has been undergoing a renovation, we feel as if we had got home again, and realize that it is a fitting time to review our past history, and draw from it hope and encouragement for the future.

" God, in his providence, has given us at last an historio prominence in this the most advanced religious movement of our times. Let us see to it that we are faithful to the high trust committed to our hands. By the example of those of our number who have died in the faith, we are urged to an emulation of their virtues. Their God is ours; and if, like them, we persevere to the end, we shall gain the rest into which they have entered."

The church at present reports 250 members, and has as elders B. F. Frederick and William Moore; deacons, R. B. Pritchard and N. M. Clunk.

For the past sixteen years Abel Lodge has been the super- intendent of a flourishing Sunday-school. It has an aver- age of over 100 members, and maintains a good library.

TRINITY CHAPEL (PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL).

The services of the church were held in New Lisbon as early as 1847 and at later periods, but no organization was ef- fected until April 13, 1863, when thirty persons were formed into a society. On the 5th of May, 1863, Fisher A. Block- som was elected Senior Warden; John Clarke, Junior Warden; and Joseph E. Vance, Belus Lounsberry, John H. Morrison, Seth L. Wadsworth, A. J. Blocksom, Wm. Hostetter, Henry T. Aten, and H. H. Gregg, Vestrymen.

The Rev. A. T. McMurphy became the rector of the society, and remained until 1866. Lay services were then held until 1871, when the Rev. George 8. Vallandigham became the rector, continuing until his death, in March; 1873. Since then services have been supplied by neigh- boring rectors and by laymen.

The meetings were first hold In the German church, and then in the court-house antil the fall of 1876, when a chapel was secured in a building standing on lot 161. It has been fitted up in a neat manner, is owned by the society, and is free from debt.

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TOWNSHIP OF CENTRE.

The present vestry is composed of John Clarke, Senior Warden; M. N. Hamilton, Junior Warden ; William Val- landigham, John H. Clarke, and John H. Morrison, Vestry- men. The communicants number 12.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF NEW LISBON.

Methodism was first proclaimed west of the village, near the borders of Hanover township, about 1812, by a local preacher named James Caldwell, who held services there occasionally, preaching without authority from any Con- ference. He soon after had a co-laborer in John Cecil, a man of athletic frame, who had but one eye, but who pos- sessed many qualities to make him a successful missionary. He was not only able to expound the word, but willing, if occasion demanded, to take his place as a common laborer in the harvest-field, where he wielded the sickle as skill- fully as any of his fellows. Such conduct naturally won the hearts of the simple pioneers, who ever welcomed the visits of these plain preachers. In due time Methodism was firmly established here, and had taken a foothold at New Lisbon. About 1818 the place was recognized as a regular appointment on what was then known as Beaver circuit, which embraced several counties in the eastern part of Ohio and a part of Pennsylvania, preaching being sup- plied about once a month.

The ministers about that time were Jacob Hooper and a young man named Dowler. The former had a stentorian voice and preached in an earnest manner, sparing not the evil where he conceived it to exist, but fearlessly denouncing all manner of wrong. His zeal to promote the welfare of the church never abated, and, when necessity demanded, he started on foot to fill the appointments on his circuit.

The bounds of the circuit remained as comprehensive as above indicated until about 1840, when New Lisbon was designated a station in the Conference, and has since main- tained that relation to Methodist work in Columbiana County.

It appears that not until about 1822 was the society at New Lisbon fully organized, but, in the absence of the off- cial records, it is impossible to give the original membership. The first place of meeting was in a small frame house which stood a little west of John Arter's tannery. It had previ- ously been occupied for other purposes and was unsuitable as a church, yet in this house preached Martin Ruter and James B. Findley, at that time eminent ministers.

About 1826 a more appropriate place of worship was provided on the hill half a square east of Market Street. It was a plain brick edifice, with accommodations ample for those times, and in this house, in 1827, a Miss Miller, prob- ably the first woman-preacher in New Lisbon, addressed crowded congregations. Here, also, Bishops Hedding, Soule, and Chase, of the Episcopal Church, sometimes preached. The house was used until 1838, when the pres- ent place of worship was erected on the southwest corner of the square. It was built, after the custom of those times, with galleries on three sides, but the side-galleries have been removed, and the house has been otherwise mod- ernised and made more comfortable and attractive.

In 1845 the society was reorganized under the laws of that period, and James H. Shields, Jacob Arter, Jacob

Harbaugh, Thomas Corbett, Robert S. Mckay, Benezett F. Thompson, and Simon Spiker elected trustees. The present board is composed of Jacob Harbaugh, G. W. Nelson, William Huston, William Hoover, J. F. Benner, William Jordan, Nicholas Way, and Richardson Arter. John Burns is the recording steward.

The clergy who ministered to the church from its organi- zation to the present time have been as follows, the years given being the dates of their appointment to this charge by the Annual Conferences : 1820, Jacob Hooper, - Dowler; 1821, William Tipton, Charles Trescott, Henry Knapp; 1822, William Tipton, Samuel Brockoonier ; 1823, Dennis Goddard, B. O. Plympton ; 1824, Ezra Booth, Albert G. Richardson ; 1825, Samuel Adams, Robert Hopkins; 1826, John Knox, William Henderson; 1827, Edward Taylor, John Somerville; 1828, B. O. Plympton, Nathaniel Calender; 1829, George Brown, - Wians; 1830, Alfred Bronson, William Henderson ; 1831, John Crawford, Jacob Jenks; 1832, John P. Kent, William Summers ; 1833, M. L. Weekly, D. Gordon ; 1834, Alcinus Young, J. M. Meacham ; 1835, Alcinus Young, P. S. Ruter; 1836, Daniel Sharp, John McLean; 1837, Daniel Sharp, J. T. W. Auld; 1838, George McCaskey, J. Mont- gomery ; 1839, George McCaskey, Joshua Monroe ; 1840, Moses Tichinel; 1841-42, Lewis Burton ; 1843, D. R. Hawkins ; 1844-45, Charles Thorn ; 1846, T. Winstanley ; 1847-48, Frank Moore; 1849-50, Josiah Adams ;* 1851, J. T. Nessley ; 1852-53, A. H. Thomas; 1854, Robert Hamilton ; 1855-56, Walter Brown; 1857-58, J. D. Turner; 1859, J. D. Vail; 1860, Isaac Aiken; 1861, Ebenezer Bracken; 1862-63, John W. Baker; 1864, Joseph Horner; 1865, G. W. Cranage; 1866-67, W. K. Brown; 1868-70, J. F. Jones; 1871, Samuel Birkett; 1872-74, S. Y. Kennedy; 1875-76, A. R. Chapman.

In September, 1877, the Rev. R. M. Freshwater became the pastor, and yet continues.

Among the local preachers of the Methodist Church living at New Lisbon are remembered Thomas Kinkaid, J. J. Estill, Thomas Boardman, and Dr. Johnson.

In 1878 the church reported 166 members. A Sunday- school having 120 members is maintained, and has Nich- olas Way for superintendent.

THE PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH OF NEW LISBON.

Some time about 1828 the Protestant Methodist Church was constituted of those opposed to episcopacy, but who had, prior to that period, given their allegiance to the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. The movement, instituted at Bal- timore, rapidly grew in favor, and societies were soon formed in various parts of the Union. In New Lisbon, Henry Springer and others espoused this cause, and in November, 1831, the Rev. Reeves began preaching in the place. He was followed by Revs. Dighton, Guthrie, Miller, and other missionaries, whose labors induced the formation of a small society. The meetings were first held in a small brick house on Chestnut Street, but about 1837 a more commodious and appropriate church-edifice was erected on the northwest corner of the public square, which became well known as the " White Church." In this the society

. Died here the second year.

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flourished ten or twelve years, then lost its influence and strength to such an extent that in 1848 it was practically extinct. In 1841 the Conference of the denomination was held with the church, and was largely attended, about two hundred ministers being present. In the fall of 1837 the church was taken up as a regular appointment, and was served by the Revs. Joel Dolby and Hugh Kelley. Other preachers, in addition to those already named, were the Revs. Brown- ing, Reeves, Ragan, White, Flowers, Dorsey, Hubbard, La- cock, Hughes, Cushing, Beatty, and Clancy.

The Wesleyan Methodists also held meetings in the vil- lage after 1842, but did not succeed in effecting a perma- nent organization. Among their ministers were the Revs. Edward Smith, John Trego, Jesse McBride, and one or two others.

Another branch of the Methodists the Evangelical As- sociation, or Allbrights-held services in the place in former times, usually at the residence of those who held the All- bright faith, but it is believed that no organization followed their labor. The preaching was probably maintained in con- nection with the class at Franklin Square .*

Several ministers of the Bible-Christian Church-the Revs. Henry and Jacob Stambaugh-resided in Centre township about 1825, and occasionally held meetings, but did not awaken enough interest to form a separate so- ciety. Judge Harbaugh, of Detroit, relates an amusing episode in the ministerial career of one of the Stambaughs. On one occasion, as he was immersing a very portly woman in the waters of the Beaver, she slipped from his grasp, and was in great danger of being drowned. She was at last grasped by the frightened clergyman as she arose to the surface pale and having many indications of one who had been at death's door. Soon her lips began to move, and she faintly uttered, " Praise the Lord !" "That's a very good sign I" shouted the relieved minister as he bore her to the shore, thankful that he had not been made respon- sible for the death of the devout sister.

THE MOUNT ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, on the southeast corner of section 8, was erected in 1844, under the direction of a building committee composed of Chas. Mason, Samuel Bowman, and Joshua Bowman. In 1877 it was remodeled and made quite attractive. In the church lot is a burial-ground containing many handsome monuments. A year or two before the church was built a Lutheran con- gregation of 25 members had been organized in this locality, which held its first meetings in the school-house, but for whose use this house was provided. The Rev. John Henry Hoffman was the first pastor, preaching here until 1846. From that period until 1854 the Rev. William Thompson ministered to the congregation, and since then the preachers have been the Revs. S. Wegner, S. P. Herrington, I. J. Delo, A. B. Kirkland, J. H. Stough, and J. W. Swick.

Since April 1, 1879, the pulpit has been vacant. Charles Mason was the first elder and Samuel Bowman the first deacon. The present consistory is composed of Elders Joseph Lindersmith and Joshua Bowman, and Deacons Samuel Bowman and Harvey W. Lee. The congregation has 55 members and supports a good Sunday-school, which is at present superintended by E. M. Crowl.

THE POINT PLEASANT METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .

was erected on a beautiful little knoll near the fork of the West Beaver and Cold Run, in the early part of 1876, and was consecrated the first Sabbath in July by Elder S. F. Miner. It is a plain but attractive frame house, standing on a lot procured for this purpose from James Pollock and Robert Hastings. The committee under whose direction it was built were Charles Chandler and Robert Mcclellan. The controlling trustees are Charles Chandler, Philip Bar- ker, I. R. Hastings, Samuel Koffle, and Robert Hastings.

The society which worships here was organized many years ago in the township of Hanover, and held its meet- ings until 1876 in the "Old Frost Church," when the interest was transferred to Point Pleasant. The Rev. L. B. King was the pastor. Since September, 1878, the pastor has been the Rev. E. A. Williams. The society has 50 members, and maintains a good Sunday-school, of which J. R. Hastings is the superintendent.

THE NEW LISBON TEMPERANCE ALLIANCE

was organized Jan. 31, 1874, with President, John Mc- Donald ; Vice-President, John Way; Treasurer, Daniel A. McIntosh ; Secretary, Lizzie O. Nelson ; Executive Com- mittee, James Scott, John T. Brewster, John Arter, Jerome B. Nelson, Nicholas Way.

This society and other bodies gave encouragement to the " Woman's Crusade," which was inaugurated the following March. For a number of days prayer-meetings were maintained in the churches, and from thence the women, to the number of sixty or seventy, would proceed to the places where liquor was sold, and pray, beg, and entreat the proprietors to cease the iniquitous traffic. The first to give a promise to close up his saloon was John Parks, under the Cowan House; but after a few days all yielded to the importunities of the movement and promised a compliance with the request. These happy tidings were announced to the public, March 24, 1874, by the Women's Executive Committee,-Mrs. G. N. Johnson, Mrs. B. F. Frederick, Mrs. M. A. Vallandigham, Mrs. J. K. Frew, Mrs. C. L. Fawcett.

At the same meeting the ladies produced a paper which contained the signatures of the druggists and physicians of the village, promising to limit the sale or use of liquor in their business to such cases where it is absolutely demanded for medicinal purposes; and for a short period following, New Lisbon was, in the strictest sense, a temperance village.

Various temperance societies were formed in the village, some of which maintained but a short existence. On the 11th of August, 1847, a

DIVISION OF BONS OF TEMPERANCE

was instituted, with the following charter-members : Ker- sey Hanna, Thomas H. White, George Crowell, J. F. Ben-

. Among other celebrated ministers who visited New Lisbon are numbered Nathan Kent in 1816, and Elias Hicks in 1828, both Quakers. The latter preached in the public square, and it is said the concourse completely filled it.

In 1817, Lorenzo Dow preached to vast audiences, and, in 1833, Ass Shinn, another celebrated Methodist, visited the place, preaching several times, and delighting the masses with his overpowering elo- quence.

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ner, F. Byers, Simon Spiker, B. J. Hanna, Wm. Kuhns, John Kerns, J. N. King, and Joseph Neil. The society disbanded in 1851, the officers at that time being Simon Spiker, W. P .; D. W. Brown, W. A .; and B. W. Sood- grass, R. S.

A TEMPLE OF HONOR

was organized on the 11th of April, 1857, with the follow- ing charter-members : J. F. Benner, T. H. White, Fred. Byers, Fred. S. Whelan, H. K. Lee, A. F. Adams, S. B. Keffer, W. H. Vaughan, John Rodebaugh, J. B. Nelson, John Vinaca, Auzey White, and J. Adams. J. F. Benner was the first W. C. T. The society was very prosperous, initiating several hundred members in the course of its ex- istence, which was terminated in 1878.

SECRET ORDERS.

The oldest society belonging to a secret order was in- stituted Jan. 21, 1822, under a dispensation granted for this purpose, as The New Lisbon Lodge, No. 65, F. and A. M. On the 16th of January, 1823, George McCook, Elderkin Potter, Andrew Jerome, and others received a charter, under which the meetings of the Lodge were held until Jan. 12, 1843, when it was declared forfeited and taken back by the Grand Lodge.

The village was without a Masonic Lodge until Dec. 28, 1854, when Wm. H. Gill, S. L. Wadsworth, John Burns, John Watt, John Clarke, John Morrison, James Peeples, A. McClain, and Samuel Lindesmith received a dispensa- tion to organize. The effort was only partially successful, and on the 20th of October, 1856, the dispensation was re- turned to the Grand Lodge. A third effort to establish a Lodge was made, and on the 23d of August, 1859, a dis- pensation to revive No. 65 was granted. The first meeting was held September 10th, when the following officers were chosen : J. E. Vance, W. M .; A. McLain, S. W .; R. B. Pritchard, J. W. ; O. L. Lodge, Treas. ; A. T. Snodgrass, Sec .; and John A. Morrow, Tyler. The meetings were held under the dispensation until Oct. 17, 1860, when the Lodge received its present charter, the members named therein being, besides the foregoing, Wm. J. Jordan, J. R. Arter, John Arter, and John Charters.

Since its organization, in 1859, the Lodge has had an aggregate membership of 162 Master-Masons, and has at present 70 belonging. Twelve Masters have died in the village, and have been buried with Masonic honors; the re- mainder have removed.

Since the organization of the Lodge the Worshipful Masters have been J. E. Vance, R. B. Pritchard, R. R. Brown, Wm. M. Hostetter, J. F. Benner, H. E. Frost, Nicholas Way, and Wm. J. Jordan. The Secretaries for the same period have been A. T. Snodgrass, J. F. Benner, A. MoLain, A. J. Blooksom, John Sturgeon, Wm. J. Jor- dan, W. A. Nichols, H. W. Brown, H. E. Frost, J. H. Arter, and E. L. Randolph.

New Lisbon Chapter, No. 92, R. A. M., was instituted April 17, 1865, with the following charter-members : Wm. W. Orr, J. R. Arter, John Clarke, R. B. Pritchard, J. B. Morgan, Wm. M. Hostetter, Jas. S. Orr, A. J. Cowan, and John W. Fife. Wm. W. Orr was the first High-Priest, and served one year. R. R. Bourne was the High-Priest

from 1866 till 1870; R. B. Pritchard, 1870-72; Wm. M. Hostetter, 1872-74 ; D. W. Pomeroy, 1874-76; and, since 1876, R. B. Pritchard. The other present officers are Nicholas Way, K .; Johnson Calhoun, Scribe; Jacob L. Wellington, C. H .; David C. McMichael, P. S .; Henry E. Frost, R. A. C .; Wm. Myers, Treasurer ; and C. C. Davidson, Secretary. It has 42 members, and its meetings, as well as those of the Lodge, are held in a very fine hall in the Benner Block, on the east side of the public square.

Concordia Lodge, No. 88, I. O. of O. F., was instituted June 21, 1847, with the following charter-members : Jo- seph Watson, David Davis, James Aten, Wm. McIntosh, and Thomas Hamilton. The Lodge surrendered its char- ter Feb. 26, 1859, but on application it was restored, July 8, 1867. Since that time the Lodge has held 1208 meet- ings, and has had an aggregate membership of 271. The present number of members is 82, and the officers are James Filson, N. G .; J. W. Brown, V. G .; John Robin- son, Treas. ; H. Clay Corbitt, Rec. Sec .; J. L. Welling- ton, Permanent Sec. Since April, 1874, the Lodge has met in a fine hall west of the square.

New Lisbon Encampment, No. 30, I. O. of O. F., was instituted June 18, 1873, with the following charter-mem- bers : David C. Shultz, Henry E. Frost, John A. Myers, Daniel Pritchard, J. L. Wellington, Louis B. Nelson, John Wilkinson, Thomas Burgham, and Hugh Gilmor. The present number of members is 23, and the officers are Simon Wisden, C. P .; Richardson Arter, H. P .; J. W. Brown, S. W .; F. F. Wellington, J. W .; J. L. Welling- ton, Scribe ; and William Myers, Treas.

New Lisbon Post, No. 85, G. A. R., was instituted Deo. 13, 1866, with 12 charter-members, George L. Miller, Post Commander, and Henry E. Frost, Adjutant. Other Post Commanders were S. J. Firestone, John A. Myers, and Henry E. Frost. The post has had an aggregate membership of 78, and surrendered its charter May, 1869.

Court Beaver Valley, No. 25, Independent Order of Foresters, was instituted April 14, 1877, with the following charter-members : C. L. Satterfield, Stacy Wallace, M. N. Clunk, R. W. Baxter, George Vogan, Samuel King, Charles Keck, Casper Tritt, Henry Chapman, Robert Morrow, Robert G. Livingston, and William E. Tilney.

At present the Court has 40 members and the following officers : Chief Ranger, H. B. Dorwart; Vice-Ranger, R. G. Livingston; Treas., George L. Miller; Seo., C. B. Dickey ; Senior Woodward, F. F. Baker; Junior Wood- ward, Peter David; Senior Beadle, R. L. Springer ; Junior Beadle, C. L. Satterfield ; Chaplain, Robert Morrow ; Trustees, W. S. Potts, John King, F. F. Baker; District Deputy, R. W. Baxter.

The object of the order is social and beneficiary, every member receiving an assurance of $1000 in case of death. The court meets in a pleasant hall on East Walnut Street.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

THOMAS MOCLELLAN,

son of James and Hannah (Witherow) Mcclellan, was born March 4, 1804. He was the youngest of a family

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of ten children,-six sons and four daughters. In 1814 his father removed from Chester Co., Pa., and settled on a farm in Centre township, where he resided till his death. James was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Thomas spent his youth on his father's farm. His education was limited to the common schools of Centre township.

THOMAS M'CLELLAN.

On July 2, 1829, he was married to Annie, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Dearmon, of Pennsylvania. There were born to them children named as follows : Robert, born April 7, 1830 ; James, Sept. 19, 1831 ; Albert, Feb. 28, 1835 ; Margaret E., Nov. 28, 1838 ; Harriet, Dec. 2, 1840 ; Anna E., Oct. 10, 1850. Mrs. McClellan died June 15, 1872.

In politics Mr. McClellan is a Democrat. Both he and his wife have been members of the old Presbyterian church for thirty years, he having been an elder in the same for twenty-five years.

JOHN C. PIKE,

son of Hugh and Mary Ann (Crawford) Pike, was born April 12, 1810. He was the third in a family of ten children,-six boys and four girls,-eight of whom are now living. John C. spent his youth on his father's farm in Elk Run township. His father emigrated to this country about 1796, and settled in Washington Co., Pa., where he was engaged at his trade as weaver for eight years. In 1804 he removed to Columbiana County, and settled in Elk Run township on a section of land which he cleared up and brought under a state of cultivation. Here he re- sided till his death, which occurred May 20, 1835.

On Feb. 13, 1834, John C. was married to Maria, daughter of John and Sophia C. Frederick, of Centre township. She was born Nov. 29, 1810. By this union six children were born to them, namely : De Lorma F., born July 17, 1835 (married Cora Arter, of Hanover,-two children, Georgia and Grant Omer) ; Mary Ann, born March 6, 1838 (married Aaron Arter, of Hanover, have three children,-Artemus, John S., and Olietta); Sophia C., born March 5, 1841 (married Jesse B. Frost, of Centre township, have three children,-Wilber L., Fanny E., and Frank O.); Robert T., born March 9, 1843 (married Louisa Springer, have five children,-Linda M., Jenny R., Mary L., John T., and Olive S.); Maria M., born Jan. 23, 1845; died Dec. 26, 1848; Hannah J., born Oct. 29, 1847 (married William Rudisill, of Centre, have two children,-Maria R. and John C.).

After his marriage John C. purchased a farm in Elk Run and worked it two years, when he sold out and moved to Paris, Stark Co., Ohio, where he went into the mer- cantile business, which he followed four years, then sold out and removed to Centre township, and purchased a farm of two hundred and sixty acres, to which has been added at different times three hundred and forty, making a farm of six hundred acres, where he has resided since.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 33

Author: D. W. Ensign & Co. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 541

Author: D. W. Ensign & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 541