History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 69

Author: Johnson, Crisfield
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co.
Number of Pages: 716

USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio > Part 69

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).

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH (GERMAN).

The First Reformed Church was organized in 1848 through the efforts of a lay member, Mr. F. G. Kauf- holtz, and was served by him until his death in 1860. So great was his zeal for the welfare of the Germans around him that, although only a day laborer, he out of his own savings built a house of worship, the First German Church, on the West Side. The organiza- tion remained independent until the year 1860, when a call was extended to Rev. H. J. Ruetenick, who succeeded in uniting the church with the Reformed

216

THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

Synod. Under his pastoral charge a new church was built in 1863. In 1870, Rev. F. Forwick was called to the pastorale, in which he still remains. A. Close is the present secretury; II. Wolfkamm the treasurer.

SECOND REFORMED CHURCH (GERMAN ).

This church is a branch of the First Reformed, and was organized in the year 1863 under the pastoral care of Rev. II. J. Ruetenick, of that church, on ac- count of the rapid growth of his congregation. The present pastor is Rev. J. C. Young.

THIRD REFORMED CHURCH (GERMAN).

This society, an offshoot of the First German Re- formed Church, was organized in 1868. The church edifice was built at a cost of one thousand and fifty dollars, at 194 Aaron street, and dedicated October 4, 1868; the church having then but ten members. The membership at present numbers one hundred and forty-five; the Sabbath school has an attendance of one hundred and fifty. The pastors have been Revs. Nathaniel Rutenich, 1868-71; Paul Schuelke, 1871-74; Carl Gustav Zipf, present incumbent.

FOURTH REFORMED CHURCH (GERMAN).

The Fourth Reformed congregation was organized on the 10th day of December, 1873, at the residence of John Jacob Grebel. Rev. H. Trautman was cho- sen president; Christian Diehm, secretary. John Jacob Grebel and John A. Scherzer were elected eld- ers; Albert Pretzer, Christian Diehm, Chr. Saupe and II. Rehburg, deacons. The same officers consti- tute the board of trustees. Rev. H. Trautman was chosen minister. On the 1st of February, 1873, two lots on Louis street with a house were purchased, to be used as a parsonage, at a cost of two thousand eight hundred dollars. In the spring of 1873 a framed church edifice, thirty-two by sixty feet in di- mensions, was constructed, at an expense of three thousand dollars. The building was dedicated An- gust 17, 1873; the church numbering at that time forty-eight communicants. In 1875 the membership had increased to ninety-six, since which time there have been no material additions. The congregation is composed of Germans, and the service is conducted in their language.

FIFTHI REFORMED CHURCH (GERMAN).

The Fifth Reformed Church had its origin in the First Church in the early part of 1873, several fami- lies being dismissed from the First Church society for the purpose of organizing the church. The church editice is situated on lliggins street, near Clark avenue. Rev. J. J. Weiss was chosen as the first pastor, and continued until succeeded recently by the present incumbent, Rev. W. Brann. The church is yet supported by the Board of Home Missions.

SIXTH REFORMED CHURCH (GERMAN).

This church was organized in 1877, by members of the Second Reformed Society. The place of worship

is on Henry street. The society was endowed with a neat chapel on Broadway by Mr. B. Sturm, and is under the pastoral charge of Rev. A. E. Schade.

EBENEZER BIBLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

This was organized in 1852, at the residence of Mr. Josiah Venning, on Orange street. In 1853 a small framed church was built at the corner of Irving and Orange streets, which was replaced by the present brick edifice in 1860.

The first trustees were Josiah Venning, Walter Ayers, James Rabone, G. Il. Ilill, James Gill and Geo. Newman.

The names of the pastors in the order of their ser- vice are Revs. John Chapple, Joseph Hoidge, W. R. Roach, William Hooper, M. Pett, G. Haycraft, John Pinch, J. T. Sencabaugh, W. Hodnett, W. C. Beer, R. T. Courtice, S. Jolliffe, Il. J. Nott.

The present trustees are Josiah Venning, John Collacott, James Gill, William Morrish, John W. Keetch, Samuel Taylor and James Reece.

The present number of communicants is one huu- dred and four. The number of scholars in the Sun- day school is one hundred and forty.

BIBLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (EIGHTEENTHI WARD).

This church was organized in 1872 with twenty members, and for a while was obliged to worship in public halls. At length the Methodist Church edi- tice was purchased, and in that building services have since been held. Rev. Wm. Hodnett organized the church; afterwards the preachers were Revs. John Ball, George Copeland, James Reece, Herman More and HI. J. Nott. Mr. Nott is pastor of Ebenezer Church, on Orange street, and supplies the pulpit at Newburg in the absence of a regular pastor.

The members now number fifty, the present trus- tees being John Barrabel, James Chinnock, Stephen Gifford and John Snell.

FIRST CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN (GERMAN).

This was organized in March, 1854. William Krumweide, John Viets, Jacob Reese, Chr. Gutt and Peter Offermann comprised the original board of trus- tees. Services were held in the editice of the English Church of the United Brethren until the year 1861, when a lot was secured, and a building erected on Lorain street. This editice was dedicated during the same year by Bishop II. Kumber. In 1864 this prop- erty was sold, and another lot bought on the corner of Peach and Orchard streets, upon which a larger building of brick was erected at a cost of eight thous- and dollars, to accommodate the rapidly increasing society. The following is the succession of pastors with their respective terms of service. E. Licht, from 1855 to 1857; B. Frillmann, 1857; E. Licht, 1858; II. C. Crom, 1859; C. F. Eckert, 1860 to 1862; G. Backer, 1862 to 1864; C. Schneider, 1864 to 1866; E. Lorenz, 1866 to 1868; C. Streich, 1868 to 1871; M. Bussdicker, 1871; A. Krause, 1872 to 1876; J. Earnest, 1876 to 1878.

James Farmen

EVANGELICAL AND OTHER CHURCHIES.

The present church officials are Rev. J. Sick, pas- tor; Rev. J. Welti, local preacher and class leader: John Werth, C. F. Boest, John Lemnurmann, Fred'k. Reindfleisch and Henry Reindfleisch, trustees; Fred'k. Poller, Sunday-school superintendent.

SECOND CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN (GER- MAX).

The Second is an ontgrowth of the First Church of the United Brethren, and was organized in 1874. The society soon erected a church edifice of wood at the junction of Elton and Dudley streets, west side, which is so constructed as to contain a pastoral residence in the rear part, and cost two thousand five hundred dollars. This church was mainly sup- ported by the society of the First Church, and was at- tended by its pastor and local preachers until the con- ference of 1827, when it was made independent. Rev. Jacob Scholler was assigned to the pastorate by the conference at this time, as a missionary, and still continues as such. Benjamin Seifried. Jacob Welti and Michael Prechter are trustees. The Sabbath school, under charge of Benjamin Seifried, has eighty scholars.

CHURCH OF GOD.

This congregation (professing the faith that all people should be of one church and that church the Church of God,) was organized about 1860, and from that time to the present has worshiped in public halls-its present place of meeting for devotional pur- poses being at the corner of Case and Woodland avenues. The membership now numbers seventy, the elders being L. C. Cattell, John Jones and .J. 1. Morgan. The church is at present without a pastor.

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH (HOILAND).

The society just named was organized by the Classis of Geneva June 16, 1864, at which time the church membership was fifty-six-the rules of government being the constitution and general rules of the Dutch Reformed Church in America. The first house of worship was erected on Scovill avenue: in 1815 it was succeeded by the present church building on Blair street. The first minister was Rev. A. K. Kasse; the present one is Rev. A. Wormser. The membership numbered about two hundred in August, 1879.

THE TRUE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH

on Calvert street, east side, was organized in 1872, by scceders from the First (Holland) Reformed Church on Blair street. Its membership is forty, and its preachers are supplied by the Reformed Church of Michigan.

THE FREE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH.

This is another congregation of Hollanders, which was organized in 1875, and has now a membership of sixty. It meets on Waverly street on the west side. Pulpit supplies are provided by the church in Mi- chigan.

THE FRIENDS' CHURCH.

The first members of the Society of Friends, known to have settled in Cleveland, were James Farmer and wife, who came in the year 1856. For several years they observed the usual hour of worship in the parlor of their house. Other families of like belief coming to the city, a chapel was rented, in which temporary services were conducted in accordance with the ortho- dox principles of the society. In 1824 a house of worship was built on Cedar avenue near Sterling, at a cost of ten thousand dollars. Meetings are held there each Sunday and Wednesday. No regular minister is employed, but the society has four resident preach- ers, three of whom are women. They are David Tatum, Meribah Farmer, Theodate S. Pope, Hannah B. Tatum. The elders are James Farmer, Albert French and Mary Stackpole.

CHURCH OF THE UNITY ( UNITARIAN).

This, the only Unitarian society in Cuyahoga county, was organized February 1, 1867, after earnest and protracted efforts. At the first meeting thirty- five persons took part, and with such interest that. although its adherents were few in number, the suc- cess of the project was assured. The trustees elected at the organization were Rodney Gale, S. A. Jewett, B. F. Robinson, George O. Baslington and John Il. Underwood.

Rev. T. B. Forbush was secured as the first pastor, and services were held in Case Hall every Sunday. The society prospered fairly until 1825, when it lan- guished, and for three years no public worship was held. In 18;8, however, there was a strong revival of interest, and the society set out upon a renewed career which has led thus far to bright and cheering results. Weisgerber's Hall, at the corner of Prospect and Brownell streets, is now used as a place of worship, and near there the society is erecting a commodious stone church edifice which will cost about ten thous- and dollars. Rev. F. L. Hosmer, the second pastor of the church, has been in charge since 18;8. The society is now in a condition of health and strength, the church attendants numbering about two hundred. The trustees for 1879 are Thomas Kilpatrick, Thomas II. White, E. Sowers, George R. Gale, Bushnell White and James Storer.

SPIRITUALISTS.

The First Religious Society of Progressive Spirit- ualists meets each Sunday at Lyman flall, on Monu- mental Square. Connected therewith is a Children's Progressive Lyeenm.

NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH (SWEDENBORGIAN).

This church was organized March 22, 1868, with twelve members, who called Rev. C. D. Noble to be their pastor, and appointed A. O. Blair, M. Carson and G. W. Barnes members of the church council. A small chapel was at first engaged as a house of wor- ship, and in 1874 the one now in use on Arlington

278

THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

street was built. The pastors have been Revs. C. D. Noble, L. P. Mercer, J. S. Saul and G. F. Stearns. There are now about forty members; the present trus- tees being M. G. Browne, George Judson and A. II. Cline.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Among the numerous missions, chapels etc., in Cleveland, which are used for occasional services, and which can hardly be assigned to any regular place in church history, may be mentioned St. Joseph's Chapel (Roman Catholic), corner of Chapel and Hazen streets; the Armory at East Cleveland; Cottage (Methodist Episcopal) Chapel, corner of Willson ave- nue and Prospect street; German Baptist Mission, on Payne avenue; German Methodist Mission, on Purdy street; Lake Shore Chapel, on Lake street; Pearl Street Friendly Inn; River Street Friendly Inn; Tem- perance Chapel, on St. Clair street; Central Place Friendly Inn; Union Mission, on Erie street, Olivet Chapel, on Hill street; and the Ontario Street Taber- naele, which last structure was built on the occasion of an anticipated Moody and Sankey season.

CHAPTER LVI. BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.

Charity Hospital- Homeopathic Hospital - (ity Hospital-Protestant Orphan Asylum-St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum-Jewish Orphan Asy- Jum-Home for the Aged Poor-Bethel Union -Young Men's Chris- tian Association-Women's Christian Association-Women's Chris- tian Temperance League-Convent of the Good Shepherd-Firemen's Relief Association-St. Mary's Orphan (Girls) Asylum-St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum.

CHARITY HOSPITAL.

IT is to the zeal of Bishop Rappe that Cleveland owes its first public hospital. In the spring of 1852 he had a framed building erected on Monroe street, West Side, on the same lot on which St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum now stands. Owing to his very limited means, the bishop could not fully carry out his long cherished plan of erecting an asylum for the sick and injured of the city, the building being small and the sisters in charge-two Hospitaliers of the order of St. Augustine and two Postulants, who came from France the year previous-few in number. Yet the good sisters kindly received all applicants and cared for them as best they could, though laboring under many and great disadvantages.

During the late war, when many of our soldiers re- turned to Cleveland either sick or wounded, and found no place where they could get the tender care of trained nurses and skillful physicians and surgeons, Cleveland fully realized the necessity of a hospital. Bishop Rappe, ever ready to promote a good work, and seeing a near realization of his plan, offered to build a hospital, and provide nurses, and surgical and medical aid, if the public would come to his help. ITis appeal was not in vain. All citizens, without dis- tinetion of nationality or creed, came to his aid. He

purchased twelve lots on the east side of Perry street, bounded by Garden and Marion streets. In the spring of 1863 Charity Hospital was begun. Aided by the generosity of the citizens of Cleveland-their contributions at a fair and by subscriptions amount- ing to about twenty thousand dollars, one gentleman alone giving the princely donation of ten thousand dollars-the building was opened to the public in the fall of 1865, and cost, as it then stood, upwards of seventy-five thousand dollars.

To the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine was committed the care of patients and the general man- agement of the institution. The medical and surgi- cal work was confided to Charity Hospital College, now the Medical Department of the University of Wooster. Owing to its able surgeons and physi- cians and faithful nurses, Charity Hospital soon ranked among the first in the country, patients com- ing for treatment from all parts of the Union. The yearly average number of patients from 1865 to Jan- nary 1, 1879, was four hundred and forty-one; whole number of patients treated, five thousand seven hun- dred and thirty-five; whole number of free patients, same period, two thousand two hundred and forty-six.

During 1823 and 1824 improvements were made and additions built by Bishop Gilmour at a cost of forty-seven thousand dollars, viz: clinic and lecture rooms, mortuary, steam-heaters and elevators. The wooden staircase at the main entrance was replaced by a fine stairway of stone, of easy ascent, and the interior of the building was refitted; so that now the Charity Hospital ranks second to none in the country in point of modern conveniences, and appli- ances to lessen the pains of the sick or wounded pa- tient. The medical staff, of which Dr. W. I. Scott is president, is now composed of nine physicians. There are sixteen Sisters of Charity taking care of the sick. Sister Alexis is the local Superior.

In this connection might also be mentioned the es- tablishing of the House of Maternity by Bishop Gil- monr, in 1874, in the rear of Charity Hospital, and under the care and management of the Sisters of Charity; Sister Martha, local Superior. The build- ing is forty-five feet wide and seventy-five in length, three stories high, with large, well ventilated rooms. To unfortunate women who become victims of sin it affords shelter during the time of their confinement; and helpless infants, abandoned by their heartless mothers, find there a home and a mother's care.

CLEVELAND HOMEOPATHIC HOSPITAL.

This hospital is, as its name indicates, under the control of medical professors of the school of Homwe- opathy, and is now, as it always has been, carried on as a private enterprise. The first hospital building was located on Willson avenne about 1860, but, after a few years, the Homeopathic and regular schools joining in the conduct of a union hospital, the Will- son avenue institution was discontinued. The union was, however, short-lived and the Homoeopathic hospi-

219

BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.

tal was revived in the buildings of the Humiston Seminary on the Hights, where also the Homeopathie Hospital College was located. When the college was transferred to Prospect street the hospital was located on Huron street, near at hand, and continued its active funetions until March, 1879, when the build- ing was removed to make place for a new hospital edifice now in process of erection, and so far advanced toward completion that it will be occupied about the beginning of 1880.

The new hospital building is of brick, and a re- markably handsome and striking piece of architec- ture. It will contain sixty beds, and will be supplied with the most perfeet of modern hospital appoint- ments. It is aimed to devote the institution to charity so far as may be found consistent with the design to make it self-supporting.

CLEVELAND CITY HOSPITAL.

The early history of this institution was somewhat experimental and changeful. Its real work in the care of the sick and destitute poor commeneed in 1869, in a small framed building at 83 Willson street. The president from that time has been Mr. H. B. Ilurlbut, whose unfailing interest and generosity have contributed much to the life and growth of the work.

During the first year one hundred and two patients were treated: the number of days of treatment being five thousand and thirty-eight. During the year 1828 four hundred and forty-six patients were received, and the number of days of treatment was fourteen thous- and three hundred and fifty eight. Under the press- ing need of larger accommodations, in the autumn of 1825, a lease of the Marine Hospital and grounds was procured from the United States government, and here the Cleveland City Hospital has since had its home.

The building is of stone, three stories in hight, one hundred and ten by ninety feet, and stands in the midst of spacious grounds (five acres), handsomely laid ont in lawn and terrace.

The arrangement of wards and rooms provides sep- arately for each department-the charity and the pay patients. The private rooms for paying patients are in the second and third stories of the east and west wings. They are furnished with taste and elegance, and contain all needful articles and appliances for the comfort of the siek.

The institution has no endowment, and is largely dependent upon the generosity of the people for means to carry on its charitable work.

On the 10th day of May, 1876, the hospital officers and managers became a body corporate; Joseph Per- kins, president; E. C. Rouse, clerk, and seven trus- tees, M. B. Seott, George B. Stanley, Henry Chisholm, William B. Castle, W. J. Boardman, II. C. Blossom and G. W. Whitney.

The expense of maintainance for the year 1876 was eighteen thousand one hundred and thirty-six dollars;

in 1877, thirteen thousand five hundred and seven dollars and thirty-four cents; in 18;8, fifteen thousand four hundred and sixteen dollars and thirty-six cents.

The officers of the year 1879 are as follows: HI. B. Hurlbut, president; Mrs. S. Williamson, vice presi- dent ; Isaac N. ITimes, secretary; Mrs. Proetor Thayer, assistant secretary; II. C. Studley, treasurer; II. B. Hurlbut, Mrs. S. Williamson, George II. Ely, Mrs. M. II. Severance, HI. R. Hatch, G. C. E. Weber, M. D., Proctor Thayer, M. D., trustees; Mrs. L. M. Hubby, Mr. D. P. Eells, Mrs. II. B. Hurlbut, Mr. R. F. Smith, Mrs. T. T. Seelye, Mrs. George H. Ely, Mrs. William Sabin, Mrs. Charles Hickox, Mrs. L. L. Lyon, Mrs. S. T. Hall, Mrs. James Barnett, Mrs. T. Bolton, Mrs. W. S. Streator, Mrs. I. N. Himes. Mrs. John Poole, Mrs. S. II. Douglass; Mrs. E. C. Pechin, Mrs. G. C. E. Weber, Mrs. W. C. North, Mrs. P. Roeder, Col. and Mrs. W. II. Harris, mana- gers; Proctor Thayer, M. D., G. C. E. Weber, M. D .. John Bennitt, M. D., II. K. Cushing, M. D., consult- ing physicians and surgeons; D. B. Smith, M. D., occulist; J. E. Darby, M. D., I. N. HTimes, M. D., 11. W. Kitchen, M. D., F. J. Weed, M. D., J. II. Low- man, M. D., II. II. Powell, M. D., visiting physicians and surgeons; Miss Eliza Mitchell, matron; J. R. Smith, M. D., house physician; C. L. Taylor, M. D., assistant house physician.

TIIE CLEVELAND PROTESTANT ORPHAN ASYLUM.

The Cleveland Orphan Asylum was organized Jan- uary 22, 1852, at a meeting held for the purpose in the Stone Church; John M. Woolsey being chosen chairman. Rev. Dr. Aiken introdneed a resolution that, "In view of the wants of this city, it is expe- dient to organize an orphan asylum in Cleveland," which was unammously adopted. Messrs. John A. Foot, J. A. Briggs, B. Rouse, J. M. Hoyt, T. P. Handy and others were appointed a committee to prepare a plan of organization for such an institution. This committee reported at another meeting held in the same place January 29th, presenting a plan which virtually placed the responsibility of further arrange- ments in the hands of a board of managers, consist- ing of the following ladies: Mrs. Elisha Taylor, Mrs. Rouse, Mrs. Philo Scovill, Mrs. S. J. Andrews, Mrs. J. K. Miller, Mrs. Henry W. Clark, Mrs. Stillman Witt, Mrs. M. IT. Severance, Mrs. Geo. A. Benedict, Mrs. B. Stedman, Mrs. J. A. Harris and Mrs. A. II. Barney.

These ladies went immediately to work to arrange the details of an asylum household, and in April, 1852, a framed house on the corner of Erie and Ohio streets having been leased, the asylum began its work of providing a shelter for orphan and destitute chil- dren, eleven of whom, none of them over eight years of age, were at first received into its care.

Miss Sophia L. Hewitt was placed at the head of the household as both superintendent and teacher. These offices she continued to fill for two years, mak- ing no charge for her services.

280

TIIE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

After a short time it was thought best to obtain an act of incorporation from the State and reorganize the association. A new constitution was prepared by a committee of gentlemen appointed for the purpose. This constitution was accepted at a meeting of the society, February 22, 1853, and the asylum was regu- larly chartered as an "association incorporated for benevolent purposes.

Under the constitution the following officers were elected: HIon. S. J. Andrews, president; Philo Scovill, B. Rouse and Henry W. Clark, trustees; T. P. Ilandy, treasurer; Geo. A. Benedict, clerk. The board of managers who had been previously acting were re- elected.

The constitution provides that the officers of the asylum shall be chosen from different denominations of Protestant Christians, so that no one of them in particular shall have a preponderance in its councils. In October, 1875, a new and revised constitution was adopted, by which several important changes was made in the organization, and the word Protestant introduced into the name of the institution.

In 1853 an acre of land was donated by Rev. E. N. Sawtelle, on the corner of Kinsman street and Willson avenue, for the purposes of an asylum. A building was soon commenced, and was so far advaneed in June, 1855, that the asylum family was removed to it from the dwelling house which it had for three years occu- pied. The reversionary interest in the land was sub- sequently released to the institution. An additional acre adjoining was afterwards purchased by the asy- lum.

During the first ten years of its existence the asy- lum was mainly dependent upon collections in small amounts solicited by the ladies of the board person- ally, from door to door. A small permanent fund was contributed by benevolent gentlemen of the city. In December, 1863, came the noble bequest of Captain Levi Sartwell, a gentleman who, in the course of a long residence in Cleveland, had by frugality and in- dustry amassed a competence, and who bequeathed his whole property to the asylum.

In 1877 and *28, Mr. Leonard Case donated valna- ble tracts of land, together amounting to four and one-fourth acres. on St. Clair street, as a site for a new asylum building, but the officers were, until 1878, in doubt as to the feasibility of incurring the expense of erecting a new building, when Mr. J. Il. Wade generously donated to the society the sum of forty thousand dollars for that purpose. Plans were carefully prepared, and on the 30th day of September of that year the foundation was commenced. The work of building the new asylum is rapidly progress- ing, and when completed it promises to be one of the most elegant and convenient buildings of its kind in the country. The surprise occasioned by these dona- tions had hardly passed when another gift was an- nounced from Dr. Alleyne Maynard. as a memorial of his wife, for the purpose of fitting up and main- taining the hospital department of the asylum. The

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 69

Author: Johnson, Crisfield Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co. Number of Pages: 716

Author: Johnson, Crisfield
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co.
Number of Pages: 716