USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cumminsville > History of Cumminsville, Ohio, 1792-1914 > Part 3
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QUEEN CITY GRAN QUEEN CITY GRANITE Co
CEMETERY
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MONU IENTS
OMENTS
LETTERING
& Cleaning
MONUMENT:
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ING GROVE 35 CEMETERY.
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BOWLTON'S CORNER.
THE OLD SPRING GROVE HORSE CAR
Photo by Swenson & Co. ; loaned by B. J. Ostenkamp.
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
MANUFACTURERS "
GRANITE & MARBLE
Pioneer Preaching and Teaching .- It has been asked why the settlers of the Miami Valley left their comfortable homes on the Atlantic seaboard-chiefly in New Jersey-to risk the perils and privations of pioneer life. The answer has invariably been the greater liberty in thought and education, and the freedom from slavery guaranteed by the great ordinance of 1787 constructing the Northwest Territory. Certain it is that slavery never cursed the Millcreek Valley, and the desire for educational and religious facilities was early strongly emphasized in the opening up of schools and churches.
MRS. JANET LANGLANDS Loaned by Mrs. W. C, Shriner
Photo by Brogman,
THE FERGUS-LANGLANDS HOME
As early as 1823, if not earlier, "preaching" was occasionally enjoyed in the barn erected by Alexander Langlands, which stood a little northwest of the cut where the C. H. & D. R. R. now crosses Fergus Street. Here the Rev. David Fergus, a Scoteh divine, fre- quently discoursed. He was probably the first preacher to reside here permanently, though possibly the Rev. Mr. Riske, who married Israel Ludlow's widow, may have preached here earlier. Mr. Fergus came here from Campbellstown, Argyleshire, Seotland, in 1822, with a party of seventeen who became settlers in Ludlow's Station. In the party, besides Mr. Fergus and Janet Black Fergus, his wife, were their daughters, Mary and Janet Fergus Langlands and her
husband, Alexander Langlands, and Donald McMurtrie. In that year (1822) Alexander Langlands and his sister-in-law, Mary Fergus, purchased here a tract of 217 acres. Upon it was built first a temporary abode and then the noble old colonial mansion on a beauti- ful knoll overlooking the old Hamilton Road.
The coming of these pioneers was characteristic of the manner in which many of the settlers in the West traveled to their wilderness
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MR. AND MRS. FREDERICK PARKER
homes. The Fergus party crossed the ocean in a slow sailing craft and then journeyed by teams to Fort Pitt. There they built rafts npon which they floated down the Ohio to Fort Washington. At Marietta the women were left, probably on account of the approach of winter and the security of the settlement. While there Margaret Langlands was born, at Neville, a settlement near Marietta. As a girl and as Mrs. Frederick Parker, who died but recently ( Angust 19. 1911). Margaret Langlands spanned the whole village life of our locality, and
souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
saw it grow first into a small country hamlet, then an incorporated village, and at last a densely populated ward of the City of Cincin- nati. A part of the tract bought by the Langlands is that long known as "Parker's Woods," now a part of Cincinnati's park system. First putting up the temporary abode and barn in which the pioneer preaching was instituted, the women came from Marietta and the Langlands mansion was built. Before the house was completed Alexander Langlands died and was "laid out" upon his own work bench in the east front room of the building.
The services held in Langlands barn were probably the earliest regular religious sessions ever held at Millcreek Station. Though the Fergus family were all Presbyterians, anybody and everybody was welcome. When the Christian minister came along he preached in the barn and then went down to the bank of the clear-running creek for baptizing. The David Fergus Bible, now in possession of his great-grandson, Alexander L. Parker. shows the margins of the pages literally crowded with finely written sermon material.
The Early Log School .- In 1832, and perhaps earlier, the first school of the community was built on ground not far from where the present Kirby Road School stands-as nearly as can be recalled, it stood about where Westmoreland street joins Innes Avenue. This log building served the dual purpose of a house of worship and a temple of learning. Beside it gushed a spring of living water-one of those springs for which this locality was famous before the system of sewering destroyed their flow. So far back does the establishment of this school go that Mrs. Frederick Parker (Margaret Langlands, born 1822) barely remembered it, she having attended worship and instruction there in her early childhood. Among the distinguished clergymen who occasionally preached in it was the Rev. David Root, who resided at College Hill, and who had been pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati. This log honse was sometimes called the "Badgely School House."
The Hall of Free Discussion .- In 1832 James C. Ludlow, son of Israel Ludlow, built a house called the "Hall of Free Discussion," and dedicated it "to the interest of education, literature, and religion." "This house," writes Colonel Maxwell, "was the offering of a liberal heart, who would have a place where to love God and humanity to man might alike be taught." Many distinguished ministers of the various Protestant denominations held forth here, and it has been said that perhaps all of the students of Lane Seminary, in early days, preached in this pioneer sanctuary from time to time, or served as superintendents of the Sunday school held therein. It is worthy of notice that in this hall. still standing on Spring Grove Avenue (Nos.
4230 and 4232), opposite the terminus of Dane Street, were heard such theological giants of the Presbyterian faith as Theodore Weld, Joshua L. Wilson, Lyman Beecher, and Thomas J. Biggs, and those less distinguished, A. Guy and A. R. Naylor. Among the noted ministers of the Christian Church was Elder David S. Burnet; and a Baptist clergyman, Mr. Bruce, walked from his home in Cincinnati once a month to preach in this pioneer temple. After years of faithful service he moved farther West, "and when, at the close of his last sermon a friend took up a collection amounting to a few dollars, from the audience, and presented it to Mr. Bruce, he was overcome with surprise and gratification. It was the only salary he had ever received."
In this house was conducted the second public school in the village, and men yet live who acquired the rudiments of an education within its walls. Among the teachers remembered are Messrs. Gordon, Reed, Cary, Simmons, and Howald.
This school was transferred to Knowlton's Stone House some time after 1848, when George W. Hendricks, who subsequently became a lawyer, kept the school in a room in the building known as "Knowlton's Hall."
Erastus M. Burgoyne, an early justice of the peace, is said to have taught a private school on Colerain Ave. where Rudolph's grocery stands.
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KNOWLTON'S HALL, EAST VIEW
Photo by Krogman.
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH Photo by Cincinnati Process Engraving Co.
The Methodist Church .- The followers of John Wesley were religiously active very early in the last century. Upon a lot which is now the northwest corner of the Wesleyan Cemetery, on Colerain Pike, opposite the present Gordon Street, they erected a small frame church in 1833. The hinges upon which the doors of this old sanctu- ary swung were the loyalty, zeal, and financial support of the two brothers, Caleb and Josiah Lingo, men whose Christian devotion was shown not alone by religious fervor, but by a devotion that went down deep into the pockets. After a time the small building was demolished and a brick structure arose in its stead and remained the church home of the Methodists until it was destroyed by fire in 1889. This second building was perhaps best known as Wright Chapel, it having been so named in honor of the Rev. John F. Wright, D. D. This church was the predecessor of the present stone structure on Chase and Delaney Streets. It is a matter of regret that the local Methodist historical records have never been kept, or, if kept, have been destroyed, for efforts now and heretoforc to find them have proved futile. The widespread influence of the followers of Wesley in this valley has been a potent factor in the development of the village and its spiritual and cultural welfare, and it would be
interesting to know who were the pioneer preachers who stirred the hearts and minds and souls of the carly adherents. Only tradition can help us. Of the remembered, one Mr. Burns preached here very early. Others before the war of 1861-65 were Revs. William Hartley, a preacher of great power; Glasseock, and David Judson Starr. Occasionally John M. Walden, subsequently bishop, supplied the pulpit. During the Civil War the church was at a very low ebb, and was placed on a circuit with churches of neighboring villages. One of the ablest ministers came after the war-a veteran of the conflict, with one jaw shattered by a rebel bullet-in the person of the Rev. Henry Miller, noted for his readiness and eloquence in the pulpit. His impromptu sermons are said to have been models of excellence, and it is related of him that at one of his services but one man was present. Instantly seizing the occasion, he selected as his text "Thou art the man," and preached to that lone listener a sermon of richness, comfort and power. His was the "gift of tongues," for in education and training he had shared few privileges. Such was the type of many of the early ministers who reached their audiences as few do today. Under the guidance of Henry Miller the church grew from a handful to sueh proportions that. with the impetus of a revival at which nearly one hundred converts were claimed, a new church-the Wright Chapel-was built in 1867-68.
Of the faithful who made up the congregation of early days were Caleb and Josiah Lingo, John, Andrew and Melissa Hamel, Henry Hayward, McLoughlin, Willis March, John Hunter, James Applegate, General John McMakin, Eliza Harker. Dr. Daniel Badgely and sisters Ann and Harriet, Daniel Hunnewell, James Holzinger, Mrs. Fannie Holzinger, John Doyle, James, Arthur and Wellen Campbell, John Mortimer, William Russell, James Leeper. Lonis DeSerisy, Alexander M. Dunn, Brooks, John S. Baldwin, Robert Brasher, and Charles A. Miller. The latter two particularly bore the brunt of financial support during the period of their attachment.
In 1810, in Millcreek Township, which was established in 1809 and included Millcreek Station (later Cumminsville). the church membership of all denominations was less than 100. This increased to 171 in 1825, and ten years later was 333. In 1850-51, 775 members were recorded, of which forty-four were members of the Cummins- ville Methodist Church.
It is gratifying to note the liberality and tolerance even in the days of the clashing of creeds that the Methodists of Cumminsville displayed toward other denominations, for before the building of the Presbyterian Church Presbyterian ministers held service in the sanctuary of the Methodists. Among the preachers were the Rev. Mr. Benton from College Hill, Rev. R. J. Hall of Mt. Pleasant (who
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
served from 1839 to 1841), and the Rev. A. R. Naylor of Cheviot. Wright Chapel was destroyed by fire in February, 1889.
Pastors succeeding the Rev. Henry Miller were the Revs. Mr. Murray, John Wilson, John Pumphrey, George M. Hammell, Charles Haines, John A. Easton, Carey T. Crum, Creighton Wones, George W. Kelly (died while pastor), William Runyon, Abraham Lincoln Brokaw, George P. Shaner, Oliver L. Seward, and Stanley O. Royal, who died during his pastorate in 1914. The pulpit is at present (1914) supplied by C. R. Williamson, yet to be ordained.
The present Methodist Church is a handsome stone building, designed by Samuel Hannaford, and built at a eost of about $34,000. It was dedicated on October 7, 1894. On July 5, 1897, the church was struck by lightning, tearing away a portion of the tower. It contains a large and fine pipe organ.
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OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Presbyterian Church .- The Presbyterian Church as an organi- zation had its beginning here when Mrs. Dr. William Mount, Mrs. Dr. J. Q. Oliver, and Mrs. Janet Langlands and their associates held prayer meetings in a little frame house now standing at the northwest corner of Knowlton and Fergus Streets, then occupied by the family of John Carson, whose daily evening prayers, with music, had attracted the attention of thesc ladies. After that
services were held by this denomination in the Methodist house of worship on Colerain Avenue. In 1852 we find the Rev. A. R. Naylor, pastor of the Cheviot Presbyterian Church, conducting services in that building. The Presbyterians, however, though few in number, felt the need of a building of their own, and on November 27, 1852, the first movement toward the fulfillment of such a need was made and developed in the appointment, by Janet Langlands, John Thomson, and Janet Thomson, of four trustees from the Presby- terian Church at Cheviot-W. W. Rice, William Gain, David Martin, and Jared Woodruff-to hold in trust a lot they agreed to donate for a church site, provided these trustees would bind themselves to build a house of worship upon it for the use of the Presbyterian Church (Old School). The proposition was accepted at a meeting in Cheviot, January 12, 1853, and a building committee appointed, consisting of James G. Spear, a member of the congregation; Rev. A. R. Naylor, the first pastor; and Joseph C. Clopper, an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Cincinnati, who resided at Clopper's Ford on the sonth bank of the Millcreek. The building was con-
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REV. A. R. NAYLOR
REV. ROBERT CONOVER
From North Presbyterian Archives
structed, under the direction of James McClure, architect, by Eakle & Daniels, carpenters and builders, for $1,870, the building committee furnishing the stone and brick. The whole cost amounted to $2,300. Later (1871) a parsonage was built next to the church at a cost of $3,689. On November 13, 1853, the church was enthusiastically dedicated, the Rev. Mr. Naylor preaching the sermon and the Revs. R. H. Bishop, D. D., and S. Wilson Ramsey assisting in the service. January 15, 1854, a Sunday school was organized, with James C. C, Holenshade as superintendent. While the available membership of
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
the church was small, by the end of the first month the Sunday school numbered 68 scholars. On September 29, 1854, the church deed was executed, and amended on May 20, 1856. Meanwhile full connection of the organization with the Presbytery had not been perfected, many believing that there were not available members to support an organized church, most of the Presbyterians of Cumminsville being members of the Cincinnati churches. Even the
NORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, From Archives of North Presbyterian Church.
Presbytery shared this feeling, hence the petitions of September 11 and 18, 1855, praying for Presbyterial recognition and aid, and setting forth the fact that a church building had already been erected and a minister engaged, and asking the reinstatement of the organization committee (which had been discharged by the Presbytery), or the
appointment of a new committee to complete the organization and perfect affiliation with the Presbytery of Cincinnati (Old School) "according to the constitution of the Church and Word of God." On September 18, 1855, the petition was accepted, the Rev. S. R. Wilson alone dissenting. On Tuesday, October 16, 1855, the church was duly organized, and the Rev. Robert Conover, recently from the Crawfordsville Presbytery, was engaged to preach here and at Cheviot for six months at a salary of $400 for the period-$150 for Cheviot and $250 for Cumminsville.
The following is the "Roll of Honor" of the charter members: Matthew Brown, Martha Brown, Janet Langlands, John Thomson, Janet Thomson, Eliza Mount, Dr. J. Q. Oliver, Araminta Oliver, James C. C. Holenshade, Hannah Holenshade, Charles Cist, M. S. Turrill, Frederick Parker, Margaret Parker, and Mary Ann Knowlton.
Beginning with these fifteen members the church grew steadily until, on November 28, 1867, there were recorded the names of 116 members, twenty-three removals, nine deaths, and an actual member- ship of eighty-four communicants.
Of the pastors who have served this church during the period allotted to our sketch were Rev. A. R. Naylor (before organization), Rev. Robert Conover, who began October 16. 1855; Rev. Ludwell G. Gaines. August 30. 1856: Rev. William H. Van Doren. October 1. 1859; Rev. Andrew C. Kemper, July 1. 1860; Rev. Andrew J. Reynolds, December, 1861: Rev. William Stryker. August 4. 1869; Rev. James B. Foster, June, 1870; Rev. George M. Maxwell, March, 1873; Rev. John Haight (afterwards a doctor of dentistry and an Episcopal rector). September, 1873. Matthew Brown (October 16, 1855) was for the first two years the ruling elder. Then followed James C. C. Holenshade (1857), Francis Cist (1862). James Thom- son (1867). Samuel Caldwell (1870), and Edward N. Clopper (1870). This church has maintained the largest English-speaking Protestant. religious organization in Cumminsville and has been generally well supported financially. In its quiet Presbyterial way it has exerted an untold influence for good upon the community and has counted among its members a large proportion of the leading Protestant. families of Cumminsville. The old "First Presbyterian Church of Cumminsville" was located at the southeast corner of Lingo and Langland Streets. It was torn down in 1887.
The pastors since 1873 have been (the dates being of the begin- ning of their service) Reys. Charles M. Livingston (1877). G. R. Alden ( 1879), Arthur N. Thomson (1882), Joseph M. Anderson (1885), John W. Catheart (1892). James M. LaBach. D.D. (1894). Lewis Earle Lee, D.D. (1899). James S. Revenangh, and O. S. Thornberry. A new Sunday school addition was built during Mr. Revenangh's
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
pastorate, and, in 1914, under Mr. Thornberry's service, a debt of $6,000 was raised in ten days.
On July 25, 1886, the present beautiful brick church on Hamilton Avenue was dedicated. The cost of this building was about $17,000, including $1,100 for the organ and $900 for seating. The present name of the organization is the "North Presbyterian Church."
men
NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH From Union Revival.
The Christian Church. The Christian Church, then known widely as the Campbellite congregation, began quite early, being "the out- growth of a religious enterprise which dates back as far as 1832." In that year the Rev. Walter Scott, a co-laborer with Alexander Campbell, was busily engaged in this valley in the work of tearing down human creeds and building up churches on the New Testament. Scott was a strong character and equally able as a scholar, editor and impassioned preacher. He was exceedingly industrious and courageous in proclaiming a new order of things, and, haling men and women from the center to the four quarters of Millcreek Valley, he threw the denominational camps into consternation. "Without requiring any- thing of candidates beyond confession of faith, he proceeded day and night to baptize converts in Millcreek or the Miami Canal."
The first Christian Church was located near West Ford Road
along a stream running in Glen Airy and near Lingo's saw-mill. The building was a frame, built from lumber sawed out in this mill. For many years this little church served the Campbellites, finally succumbing to the ravages of floods, one end of the structure being undermined by the waters and caving in. But meager traditions, and no records, enlighten us concerning this organization. The
lot was donated by John Brooks, and the church erected about 1840. Among those who preached in this little sanctuary, and at a time when the Disciple Church at large was but a few years old, were the Reverend Elders Lambert Jennings (1847 to 1850), William P. Strat- ton, and David S. Burnet, son of Judge JJacob Burnet. Occasionally laymen would preach, as did Benjamin Franklin and David Peters. The latter was the most active member, and, though unable to read or write, was thoroughly familiar with the Scriptures, and proved a powerful exhorter. So popular were these early preachers that people drove from Carthage and other outlying territory, and even Here the Ludlows and
from Cincinnati, to attend these services. the Jones's came to worship, and others remembered, who were more or less prominent, were the families of the Badgelys, William Reeder, Joseph Carlin, David Brooks, John Brooks, LeRoy Reed, W. T. Rol- ler, John Myers, the Rolls, Bells, Douthwaites, Robinsons, Brokaws, Gardners, Thomases, Grahams, Coles, Fullers, and Colonel Oliver P. Hays, the latter acquiring his military rank in the local militia. Notwithstanding a small membership a Sunday School was main- tained. After the destruction of the old church services were con- tinued in Dodsworth's and Cluxton's Halls until a new church could be erected.
The next permanent home of the congregation was built in 1870 on Fergus Street, near the C. H. & D. R. R., then on the eastern outskirts of the village. The grounds were donated in 1869 by Mrs. Justice McLean, daughter of Israel Ludlow, and subsequently added to by Mrs. Whiteman, her sister. Henry Tozzer donated his services as surveyor, David Peters gave the brick, and Frank Badgely the stone foundation. Among those outside the membership who aided financially were Caleb Dodsworth, Gen. H. B. Banning and Jacob Hoffner. The church was dedicated in May, 1870, as "The First Christian Church of Cumminsville," the Rev. W. T. Moore preach- ing the dedicatory sermon. The church is located almost upon the site of the famous Ludlow block house, which was destroyed in 1850 in making the cut for the C. H. & D. R. R., and once had near it a large spring flowing into a gravelly basin which was used as a baptismal font. During the building period the Rev. W. H. Martin was pastor. He was followed by the Rev. J. O. Beardslee, who had been a missionary to Jamaica. Other ministers in order of service
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
were the Revs. Mr. Morrison (1872), Neil McLeod (1875) [figures refer to beginning of service] (from Prince Edward Island, a grad- uate of Bethany College, and afterwards missionary to Jamaica), Mr. Bastian (1879), T. M. Wiles (1879), J. B. Crane (1881), James K. Okshett [1884] (a strong preacher and reformed gambler, fa- miliar with slum life in London, and later returning to slum work), George W. Muckley_(1886), Wallace Payne (1891), W. J. Wright, Frank Faust [1894] (a man of primitive rural ways and the greatest pulpit orator who had served to date), Philip Y. Pendleton (1896), J. K. Hester (1897), Harry G. Hill (1899), Justin N. Green [1901] (under whom the church reached its height of prosperity and high- est efficiency), Charles Wilson (1909), Harry W. Cordell (1909). and the present pastor, the Rev. C. L. Garrison (1913). The name "Fergus Street Christian Church" was changed about 1905 to "The Northside Christian Church," thus doing away with the restricted local character of the former title.
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1555
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FIRST GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH
NEW EDIFICE From Geschichte, etc.
The German Evangelical Church .- The organization of the Ger. man Intheran congregation took form in 1855. In that year Georg Godelmann, JJohann Sulan, and Wilhelm Poppe united in an effort to
establish a church and school. On September 15 they decided to invite, on September 22, the German Protestants of Cumminsville and the neighborhood to Wilhelm Poppe's home to discuss the propo- sition. This they did through the two German newspapers, the "Volksfreund" and the "Volksblatt." The gathering took place, and, the plan being approved, organization of a congregation pro- ceeded, followed by the election of officers as follows: President, Karl Meyer; Secretary, Johann Sulau: Church Elders, Georg Godelmann and Wilhelm Poppe. The congregation so formed ordered its elders to hold services every Sunday and on holidays, and a school the first five days of each week. Three hundred dollars ($300) was voted for this purpose. The elders were also commissioned to canvass Cumminsville to secure more signatures and more contributions. By the end of October, 1855, the number of members had reached sixteen (16). The greatest drawback was the bad roads, so that few people came to church. A locality for services was now sought, and Ephraim Knowlton rented the society, for a small sum, Knowlton's Hall, in the third story of the stone house known as Knowlton's Block. Both Knowlton and his son (Sidney) were generous and friendly to the Germans and assisted them in their efforts to establish a church society. The first preacher was pastor J. Reichmann. who must have assumed his duties in September of 1855. At a meeting of officers on September 27. and of the whole congregation on Sep- tember 30, 1855, the following were commissioned to draw up the statutes of the church: Andrew Streng. Karl Meyer, Dietrich Bade. Andreas Kapp, and Georg Benzing. The committee met on October 8, 1855; and, the necessity for a school being imperative, as German was not then taught in the public schools, an appeal was made to each member to give voluntarily $1 each to cover the expense of establishing such a school as would foster the interests of the Germans, and teach in the mother tongue. The pastor was asked to read the statutes in the services on October 21, 1855, and again invited the people to a stated meeting. The statutes were reconsidered, amended, and accepted, and new officers elected: President, Frederick Wilhehn Evers; Treasurer, Andreas Dotzauer. The greatest hindrance to progress was the lack of a church building of their own. Therefore, on March 17, 1856, Jacob Hoffner, whose liberality had been displayed toward several enterprises, was asked to donate a lot, and he gener- ously responded, giving a plot 50x75 feet on Apple Street. On June 3, 1856, the congregation wanted to build, but on July 12 Pastor Reichmann resigned. In September. 1856, a contract was made with Karl Meyer, for $2,920, to build a church 35x50 feet (enlarged by 35 feet in 1878). J. J. Grassow was now made pastor. and actual building began on October 1. 1856. On October 26, 1856. the corner stone was laid, sixty-nine persons being present. Pastor Grassow
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