USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 56
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1876 .- George Rogers, John Pow, Asa W. Allen, Joel Stratton. 1877 .- Asa W. Allen, William Dunn, Joel Stratton, George Rogers. 1878 .- George F. Rogers, A. R. Shinn, E. P. Vansyoc, William V. Dunn.
1879 .- E. P. Vansyoc, A. R. Shinn, William V. Dunn, George F. Rogers.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
Society of Friends .- The first settlers of the town were members of the religious Society of Friends, who first gathered for religious purposes, in the summer of 1804, in the log cabin of Samuel Davis (the pioneer settler), which stood on the spot where now stands the residence of Mrs. Sarah Hiddleson, better known, perhaps, as the Hawley house. A little later, Samuel Davis donated to the society two acres of ground for meeting-house purposes, being the square now inclosed by Main, Green, Ellsworth, and Chest- nut Streets. On this plat of ground a double log cabin was erected, the chinks whereof were stopped with wooden blocks and mortar, and was used for meetings and school purposes.
Quarterly meetings were held at Westland, Monthly meetings were held at Middleton in 1804-5, and Quarterly meetings established at Salem in 1808, the sixth month. In 1807 the society belonged to the Red Stone Quarterly Meeting, and in 1813 to the Baltimore Yearly Meeting.
In the summer of 1807 a meeting-house of brick, and about 25 by 50 feet in size, one story high, was erected on the south side of Main Street, nearly opposite the log cabin. Joel Sharp and Aaron Stratton were the principal carpen- ters. The ground for this edifice was given by Israel Gas- kell, and is inclosed by streets called Main, Dry, Range, and Broadway.
The demand for village lots increased as the village grew, and it was decided by the Friends to sell the frontage of both plats on Main Street.
A short time prior to 1828 the leaven of the principles of Elias Hicks began to work among the Friends in this vicinity, and in 1828 a separation took place, two factions being formed, known as the "Orthodox" and " Hicksite" bodies.
The Hicksites organized with about 25 or 30 families, and retained a portion of the property originally deeded to the Friends by Samuel Davis. On this land they built an addition to a building owned by Dr. Benjamin Stanton, which had been used for a district school, where they worshiped till 1845, when they erected the present meeting-house, on the same property, at what is now the corner of Ellsworth and Green Streets. The first preaching in the new house was by Elias Hicks.
The society is not large, many of the members having removed to the West. Meetings are held regularly. This branch belongs to the Ohio Yearly Meeting. The Salem Quarterly Meeting embraces this society in this county ; Smith, in Mahoning County; Deer Creek, in Portage County ; and New Brighton, in Beaver Co., Pa.
The Orthodox Friends, after the separation, retained the portion of the original property on Dry Street, and wor- shiped in the brick edifice built in 1807 until 1845, when they erected, at a cost of $4000, the large and commodious brick edifice, 50 by 80 feet in size, which they now occupy. Amos Kimberly was a regularly-established preacher in the
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society, and preached for the society acceptably, before the erection of the new house of worship.
Disturbances began to arise in Quarterly and Yearly meet- ings owing to the differences of opinion between the fol- lowers of John J. Gurney and John Wilbur, which re- sulted in a separation on the second Saturday of November, 1856, at Salem, into two strong factions, known as the " Gur- neyites" and " Wilburites." Each party claimed the prop- erty, and each sold it, giving therefor a quit-claim deed, J. Twing Brooks becoming the purchaser in 1871. The Gurneyites purchased that portion of the property where the meeting-house stood, and where they still continue to worship. They embrace about sixteen families and thir- teen parts of families, and number eighty-five members. Monthly meetings are held at Salem, Quarterly meetings at Damascus and Mt. Pleasant alternately.
The Wilburites, with the proceeds of their portion of the property, purchased a lot on the corner of Sixth and Ells- worth Streets, and erected a meeting-house at a cost of about $11,000. They number over sixty-three families, and their Yearly meeting is held at Barnesville, Ohio.
Primitives .- Other difficulties arising, and a portion of those who still remained with the Gurney faction becoming satisfied that they could not stay the progress of what they termed the Gurney defection, and further, owing " to the isolation of those who could not conscientiously join in measures which they knew would compromise the funda- mental truths of their profession," a separation became necessary, and in 1860 some eighteen members separated from the main body and became known as the Primitives. They belong to the general meeting of Folsington, Bucks Co., Pa.
The Monthly meeting is held in Salem, and consists of about forty members.
First Baptist Church .- The first record to be found of a Baptist church in Perry township is in a deed from John Straughan and Mary Straughan, dated Nov. 10, 1809, con- veying lots 55 and 56, on the corner of what is now Depot and Dry Streets, for the sum of $1400, to David Gaskell, Sr., Joseph Willets, and Joseph White, of Columbiana County, as trustees of the regular Baptist church. This deed is recorded in Book B, page 169, Columbiana County clerk's office.
As near as can be ascertained, David Gaskell, St. and wife, Jacob Gaskell, - Ogle, Joshua Wright and wife, John Spencer and wife, Clarissa McConnor, and Mary Straughan were early members. Soon after the lots were purchased, a small log church was built on the southeast corner of the property, where the present building stands. In 1820 a small brick house was built for worship on Depot Street, about the middle of the lots.
The first persons baptized were John Sheets and his wife, David Gaskell, Jr., and his wife, Jacob Countryman, and Jane Heacock.
On the 22d day of November, 1823, an organization was effected and a church constituted, embracing forty members .* March 6, 1824, it was voted "that Isaac T. Gilbert, Rineer H. Swem, and David Gaskell be our trustees, to succeed
ยท
David Gaskell, deceased, Joseph Willets, and Joseph White, as trustces for the Baptist meeting-house lot in the village of Salem." Nov. 6, 1824, Revs. John Brown and Thomas Miller were requested to preach once a month. The church belonged to the Palmyra Association.
In November, 1825, John Sheets and David Gaskell were appointed a committee "to ascertain on what terms the house on the Baptist lot can be obtained of the sub- scribers to the same, and report to next meeting."
Thomas Miller was the first regular pastor, and was suc- ceeded by the Revs. John Cleavland Brown, Davis Rigdon, Rogers, Freeman, Williams, Blake, Matthias, Inman, Phillips, Stone, Morris, Green, Frescollm, and - Ask, who was the last pastor. The frame building now called the " Broad- Gauge church" was erected in 1836.
The church continued its meetings for several years, and, in 1867, at a meeting held February 2d of that year, it was resolved that the books, papers, and property be turned over to a Baptist church to be organized Feb. 12, 1867. Forty-two members joined the Baptist church of Salem, and the old church became extinct.
Second Baptist Church .- This church was constituted, Nov. 8, 1840, from members of the First Baptist church of Salem, who thought best to separate therefrom by reason of differences of belief on the questions of slavery and temperance.
Nov. 14, 1840 .- James Eggman, Wm. Kirtland, Daniel McCurdy, Joseph Goulbourn, and Abraham Webb were elected trustees, and Daniel McCurdy clerk.
Dec. 12, 1840 .- The trustees were authorized to pur- chase the house and lot belonging to the Methodist church, situated on Green Street. This property was purchased, according to a report made Jan. 9, 1841, for the sum of $180. The society at this meeting called the Rev. Mr. Morris to be their pastor; which call was accepted. The pastors who succeeded Mr. Morris, and who were regularly called, were Revs. S. R. Willard, Francis Green, and A. G. Kirk. Others preached for a short time.
March 13. 1841 .- It was resolved to form a Sunday- school. William Stone was appointed superintendent ; Daniel McCurdy, assistant ; Enos Eldredge, librarian ; James Eggman, treasurer ; James Hutchinson, Sarah Wilson, Ann Kirtland, and Mary Gouldbourn, teachers.
In 1841 the church was received into the Portage Association.
The following preamble and resolution, adopted April 8, 1843, are interesting as showing the embodied sentiment of this church concerning the slavery issue :
" Whereas, Sisters Wade and Judson, Baptist missionaries to Burmah, have refused to receive support from donations made by slaveholders; therefore,
" Resolved, That the demonstrations of Christian purity and uncom- promising opposition to sin, as exhibited in the position assumed by those self-sacrificing, devoted sisters, ought to be hailed with joy by every true Christian, and ought to put to the blush all Christian ad- vocates of slavery.
" Resolved, That the funds raised by this church for foreign mis- sions be forwarded to the support of the station occupied by Sisters Wade and Judson."
Jan. 1, 1845. - It was agreed to petition Congress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, and to take
* The original minutes are in the hands of Jesse Strawn, of Butler. 28
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measures to prevent the slave-trade; also, to petition the State Legislature to instruct Congress accordingly, and to petition the Legislature to repeal all laws making distinc- tions on account of color.
Feb. 22, 1845, the society granted the use of the church "for an abolition convention in March next, provided they observe good order."
Rev. A. G. Kirk was ordained in the church, Jan. 31, 1846,-Elders Bard, of Brimfield, Johnson, of Ravenna, Elliot, of Richfield, and Willard, of Aurora, having been invited to attend on that occasion, -and was subsequently called to the pastorate to " preach half the time."
In January and February, 1849, efforts were made, which proved futile, to unite with the First Baptist church. The society fell into decline from want of organized vitality, and rented their new church-edifice-the debts for which were nearly paid-to the board of education. No regular pas- tor was afterwards settled.
Aug. 20, 1859, a meeting of the church was called to make some disposition of the house and lot, either by sale or by a resumption of the regular duties of a church society, but no final action was taken. Efforts were made to keep the church in active condition, but with little success, and on Feb. 8, 1867, in accordance with a published notice, the society met and unanimously adopted the following pre- amble and resolutions, there being present of the members, Joseph Straughn, Daniel Walton, George Atkinson, P. H. Garrigues, Elizabeth Heaton, Jane Dobbins, Mary Sheets, Mary Webb, Sarah Umstead, Mary Eggman, Jane Beans, Esther Silver, Harriet Whinnery, Hannah Kennett, Sarah Galbraith, Jane Sheets, and Rebecca Eggman.
" Whereas, in the Providence of God it does appear that the time has fully come when there will be harmony amongst the Baptists of Salem and vicinity, and we most heartily concur in the effort now be- ing made to organize one good church, and inasmuch as the First Church has, with great unanimity, voted to disband and turn over all their interest into a new organization ; Therefore,
" Resolved, That we, the Second Baptist Church, do disband on con- dition that a new church be constituted.
" Resolved, 2d, That we instruct our board of Trustees, in case a new church is constituted, to turn over our Books of Record, and all our interest in money and real estate into the hands of the Trustees of said new organization after they shall have been appointed.
" Resolved, 3d, That any member of this church in good standing, by applying to the clerk, may receive a certificate of membership."
Of this meeting, Joseph Straughn was moderator, and R. H. Garrigues clerk.
The General Assembly, at its fifty-eighth session, passed " A Bill To authorize the 2d Baptist Church, in the In- corporated Village of Salem, in the County of Columbiana, and in the State of Ohio, to sell their church property, and dispose of the proceeds of such sale."
Baptist Church of Salem .- The First and Second Baptist churches having, by unanimous consent, disbanded, and agreed to turn over the real estate, personal property, and records of their respective organizations, a new organization, called the " Baptist Church of Salem," was constituted, Feb. 12, 1867, under the advice and co-operation of the two societies, for purposes of harmony. Forty-two mem- bers from the First church and seventeen from the Second church were regularly constituted as the Baptist church, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. T. P. Childs, who
had been instrumental in bringing about the union. The pastors who succeeded him were Benjamin F. Bowen, T. G. Lamb, John Hawker, and P. J. Ward. A. S. Moore is the present pastor. A lot was purchased at the corner of Lisbon and Main Streets, and a building erected in 1869, at a cost of $10,000. The church has a membership of 125 and a Sunday-school of 100 pupils, of which J. B. Strawn is superintendent.
Christian Church of the Disciples .*- This church was an indirect result of the conversion of Robert P. Phillips, under the preaching of Walter Scott, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, who was sent out by the Baptist Association of New Lisbon as an evangelist. In 1828, in the month of April, Mr. Scott came to the village of Salem and began preaching to crowded audiences in the old Baptist church, still standing on Range Street.
There were among the many converts a few who could not conscientiously agree with their Baptist brethren. A number of these, headed by Robert P. Phillips, organized, in 1828, a church of the Disciples, known as the " Phillips' church in the township of Salem." Others in Salem and its vicinity who were in sympathy with the movement, became members of that church. Many of the early preachers discoursed in this village, sometimes in the old Baptist church on Range Street, but subsequently in " Liberty Hall," which once stood nearly where the Christian chapel now stands.
Among those who preached at various times were Joseph Gaston, William Schooly, Amos Allerton, Ephraim Hub- bard, - Fink, John Henry, John Flick, John Apple- gate, - Brockett, Benjamin Pirky, J. J. Moss, Alexan- der Hall, T. J. Newcomb, and George Pow. On the 15th day of March, 1859, the Disciples living in Salem and vicinity were organized as a "Church of Christ," with Theobald Miller as their first pastor, and Samuel Hardman elder; L. B. Webb, Edwin Smith, Joseph Pyle, and Simeon Stratton, deacons; Dr. B. W. Spear, Samuel Hardman, Edwin Smith, Lovem B. Webb, and William Pidgeon, trustees.
The church consisted of 80 or 90 members. The society bought in the same year the chapel of the Methodist Epis- copal church, which occupied the ground where now stands the Christian chapel. The latter was erected in 1870 and 1871 at a cost of $13,000. The church was prosperous for a year or two after its organization, when dissensions arose between pastor and people, which divided the church for several years. Under the preaching of Rev. William Baxter, in 1866, the church renewed its strength, and has prospered greatly since that time.
Since its organized existence over 600 persons have been enrolled on the church books. The present number of members is 232. A Sunday-school is connected with the church, of which T. J. Lytle is Superintendent; O. C. Sturgeon, Assistant Superintendent ; Clark Webb, Secre- tary ; James Steen, Treasurer ; and E. J. Marple and Mary McCartney, Librarians. The school has a corps of 15 teachers and about 210 scholars.
The following is a list of the pastors of the church from
@ Facts for the sketch of this society were derived from a published sermon of Rev. T. J. Lytle, the present pastor.
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its organization to the present time, 1879: Theobald Mil- ler, 1859 to 1861; Sterling McBrick, 1862; S. B. Tee- garden, 1863; J. W. Lanphear, 1864 to 1867; E. B. Cake, 1868 to 1871 ; J. H. Jones, 1872, six months; W. H. Spindler, 1872 to 1876; H. Cogswell, 1876 to 1877, six months; T. J. Lytle began his labors July 29, 1877, and is the present incumbent.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- The pioneer preachers through this section of country, before the organization of any class or church, were Charles Trescott, Henry Knapp, William Tipton, Alfred Bronson, Dennis Goddard, and Billings O. Plympton, who were under the Washington mission and Beaver circuit.
In 1821 a class of nine persons was formed in the village of Salem, consisting of Thomas Kelly and wife, John Flickcroft, Edward Rynear and wife, Thomas Webb and wife, David Hum, and James W. Leach, Thomas Kelly being leader. The services were held mostly at Thomas Kelly's house, across the street from Pow's building.
In 1821, Samuel Brockermer was appointed on the Bea- ver circuit, and during that year preached at Salem, in a small building near where the Republican office stands. He was succeeded by William Swayze, Ira Eddy, W. C. Henderson, and Isaac Wians, all on the Beaver circuit. The circuit was afterwards changed to New Lisbon, and to Hanover, Lima, and Salem circuits, respectively. Among those who preached during this time were John P. Kent, James H. White, Thomas McGrath, Hiram Miller, J. M. Bray, Hoses McCall, Henry Ambler, and James Mont- gomery.
In 1852, petition being made to Conference, Salem was made a separate station, with the Rev. J. W. Nessley as first pastor. He has been succeeded by Samuel Crouse, Aaron Thomas, William Lynch, C. H. Jackson, W. D. Stevens, J. A. Swaney, Dr. J. N. Beard, J. J. Moffatt, Dr. William Cox, William Lynch, Thomas M. Boyle, John Grant, and W. A. Davidson, who is the present pastor.
About 1823 a log church about 20 by 30 feet was built on Green Street, where the African Methodist Episcopal church now stands.
In 1837 the society built a frame church, about 36 by 40 feet in size, on the lot now owned by the church of the Disciples, to whom they sold the property in 1859, and built the present brick edifice on Broadway, at a cost of $10,000. The old church was sold to the Second Baptist church in January, 1841. The society has at present 400 members. A Sunday-school of 250 pupils is connected with the church, of which Charles C. Snyder is superintendent.
Zion Methodist Church .- This church was organized in 1859 by the Rev. Thomas James. He was succeeded in the ministry by the Revs. Joseph Armstrong, D. B. Mat- thews, Nelson Williams, John Holliday, John Cox, Hamilton, - Forman, - Terry, Solomon Whiton, and Charles Dockett, who is the present pastor.
A brick church, 30 by 44 feet, was erected on the corner of High and Howard Streets.
Presbyterian Church .*- The Presbytery of New Lisbon
had occasionally sent out "supplies" to Salem prior to the organization of a society at the latter place, and in 1832 a petition was sent to the Presbytery by the Rev. Clement Vallandigham, praying for a church organization. After considerable opposition on the part of the pastors of the churches of Canfield and New Lisbon, authority was given by that body for the organization of a Presbyterian church in Salem. In accordance with that authority, there con- vened on the 3d day of November, 1832, twenty persons, who professed a desire to be organized as a Presbyterian church.
The Rev. Clement Vallandigham, who had been assigned to take charge of the meeting, received certificates of regular dismission, chiefly from the churches of Canfield and New Lisbon. After a sermon and other devotional exercises, the church was constituted by the admission of the following persons: Hugh Stewart, Ruel Wright, George Ehrich, Nathaniel McCracken, John Martin, James Wilson, Terah Jones, John Wilson, William Martin, Hugh Martin, Agnes Stewart, Agnes Wilson, Mary Ehrich, Eliza- beth McCracken, Martha T. Martin, Mrs. Rebecca P. Campbell, Mrs. Martha Wilson, Ann Jane Martin, Eliza- both Wright, Win. Martin.
James Wilson, Nathaniel McCracken, and Hugh Stewart were chosen elders. Since that time Hugh Martin, Terah Jones, Christian Bowman, Robert Woods, William Wilson, James Wilson, Richard Gardner, Sr., Dr. John M. Kuhn, Reuben McMillen, Israel Travis, Henry M. Osborne, Asa W. Allen, Jr., and William C. Hutchinson have officiated as elders.
The society first worshiped in a wagon-shop, which stood on what is known as the Trescott property, on Main Street. The first church was built in 1842, which, after serving as a house of worship for eighteen years, was sold and removed to Race Street, where it is now used as a dwelling-house. It was occupied a year unplastered. Plank and slab seats were at first used. During the third year of the adminis- tration of the Rev. Mr. Maxwell, 1860, the society began the work of building the present house of worship. The plans were drawn by Mr. Blackburn, an architect of Cleve- land, after the plans of the Church of St. James, Cleveland. After severe trials on the part of the church, the building was completed, at a cost of $10,000.
The Rev. Clement Vallandigham labored with this church and at New Lisbon until his death, in 1839. He was succeeded by Rev. William McCombs, who gave part of his time to the Caufield church, and resided in Salem the last three years of his ministry. In the spring of 1852, on account of ill-health, he gave up the charge, having ministered to the congregation eleven years. Hc was succeeded in the autumn of 1852 by the Rev. Dr. G. S. Grimes, who remained five years, and was succeeded in the autumn of 1857 by the Rev. A. B. Maxwell, who remained as pastor thirteen years. In November, 1870, the Rev. H. B. Fry came to the village as a supply, and in May, 1871, was installed pastor. He still has charge of the society. The church has a present membership of 200 members.
During several years both before and after the church organization, a union Sunday-school was held in Mr.
* The facts for this sketch were derived from a memorial serinon delivered by Rev. H. B. Fry, July 9, 1876.
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Campbell's shop. Dr. J. M. Kuhn, C. Brainard, R. A. Kirk, and Rush Taggart have been superintendents of the school, which position is now filled by R. S. Layng. The school has a membership of 256 pupils.
The Broad- Gauge Church .- Of the Quaker element which founded the town of Salem, a very large portion followed Elias Hicks at the time of his progressive de- parture from the dogmas of the old Church. They organ- ized under this reform movement, and were, and are still, known as Hicksites. This protest against the tyrannies and superstitions of the old Church did not, however, find its culmination or resting-place in the Hicksite church or society, for many of its members receded from it, and severed their connection entirely from all church organiza- tions.
During the anti-slavery movement they were all found on the side of the oppressed, and through their efforts and influence Salem became a central point, or headquarters, for the abolitionists of Ohio and the adjoining States. In 1863 these free-thinkers (or infidels, as they were called by the Church), organized an independent society at Salem, which for a time held its meetings over Dr. J. C. Whin- nery's dental rooms. They afterwards secured the town- hall, where they held regular Sunday meetings for about two years, when they purchased the old Baptist church on Depot Street.
The first preacher or speaker employed was Charles H. Ellis, a young man of considerable ability, who had studied for the Unitarian ministry, and who perhaps was one of the causes of the disruption of the society. Parker Pillsbury was employed to lecture during two or three winters after the discharge of Mr. Ellis, and Charles C. Burleigh for one or two winters. The discourses were very radical and very able.
An idea of the breadth of the society's declared platform of faith may be drawn from the second and third articles of their constitution, which embrace all their creed, and which read as follows : " ART. 2d. Our object is the culti- vation of personal goodness, and the promotion of practical righteousness among men. ART. 3d. No test of opinion, belief, or creed shall ever be made the condition of mem- bership; but all persons who will attach their names to its constitution, or cause the same to be done, shall be mem- bers of the society."
The constitution is signed by Thomas Sharp, J. S. Clem- mer, Joel Sharp, M. L. Edwards, Angeline S. Sharp, Sallie C. Price, James W. Thompson, J. R. Hall, Isaac Trescott, Joel McMillan, Laura Barnaby, Ella Deming, and one hun- dred others.
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