USA > Ohio > Defiance County > History of Defiance County, Ohio. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, etc.; military record; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; farm views, personal reminiscences, etc > Part 38
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186
HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
Sergeant Orlando Dyarman, Company E, Veteran Reserve Corps, e. April 16, 1861, dis. June 4, 1864.
Corporal O. F. Ensign, Company C, 128th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. July 7, 1863, dis. July 13, 1865.
Lewis Ferris, Company F, 48th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, c. Feb- ruary 15, 1862, dis. October 17, 1863.
Sergeant John B. Fisher, Company C, 8th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, e. January 5, 1864, dis. July 30, 1865.
John O. Fisher, Company E, 31st Illinois Volunteer Infantry, e. September 30, 1864, dis. May 31, 1865.
Sergeant Rollin Fisher, Company B, MeLaughlin Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, e. November 19, 1861, dis. June 7, 1865.
Second Lieut. Johnson Foot, Company F, IIIth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. August, 1862, dis. June, 1865.
William H. Francisco, Company F, 148th New York Volunteer In- fantry, e. August 29, 1862, dis. June 17, 1865.
Henry Generick, Company G, 38th Ohio Veteran Volunteer In- fantry, e. September 11, 1861, dis. July 12, 1865.
David Gleason, Company D, 14th Ohio Veteran Volunteer In- fantry, e. April 16, 1861, dis. July 1
Paul E. L. Hager, Company G, Veteran Reserve Corps, e. July 28, 1862, dis. 1865.
Corporal J. I. Hale, Company K, 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. April 19, 1861, dis. March 12, 1863.
Hiram Hawk, Company F, 38th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry e. February 10, 1864, dis. July 12, 1865.
Michael J. Hawk, Company 1, 78th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. October 18, 1864, dis. June 12, 1865.
Capt. B. F. W. Hawkins, Company II, 132d Ohio National Guards, e. May 2, 1864, dis. September 24, 1864.
Corporal James W. Henderson, Company G, 38th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. September 7, 1861, dis. July 12, 1865.
George Hooker, Company H, 1st Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, e. August 5, 1862, dis. June 14, 1865.
Wilson S. Hufford, Company D, 100thi Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. August 4, 1862, dis. Juue 25, 1865.
Lewis Jaynes, Company B, 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. Oe- - tober, 1862, dis. December 9, 1865.
Conrad Kale, Company K, 3d Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, e. Decem- ber 12, 1863, dis. August 14, 1865.
George W. Killey, Company F, 9th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, e. February 10, 1864, dis. July 18, 1865.
Corporal Albert W. King, Company D, 100th Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, e. July 17, 1862, dis. May 20, 1865.
Charles Klinefelter, Company A, 148th Illinois Volunteer Infant- ry, e. February 4, 1865, dis. September 22, 1865.
Samuel W. Kosier, Company B, 2d Indiana Volunteer Light Ar- tillery, e. August 30, 1861, dis. October 12, 1865.
William A. Kraft, Company B, 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. February 29, 1864, dis. July 10, 1865.
Henry Kuhl, Company E, 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. April 24, 1861, dis. August 28, 1861.
Sergeant E. N. Lewis, Ist Indiana Battery, e. October 22, 1861, dis. February 29, 1864. John Lewis.
F. A. B. Lowe, Company K, 12th Massachusetts Infantry, e. May 9, 1861, dis. March 16, 1863.
Corporal Edmond R. Mallett, Company E, 130th Ohio National Guards, e. May 2, 1864, dis. September, 1864.
Isaac Masden, Company G, 163d Ohio National Guards, e. May 2. 1864, dis. September 10, 1864.
Henry Miller, Company G, 38th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. Jan- mary 29, 1864, dis. July 12, 1865.
John I. Miller, Company G, 38th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. Jan- uary 29, 1864, dis. April 20, 1864.
George Mollenkopp, Company F, 9th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, e. December 15, 1863, dis. July 15, 1865.
William Mosher, 16th Ohio Battery, e. August 10, 1861, dis. March 21,1862.
William S. McClary, Company C, 99th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. August 1, 1862, dis. June 20, 1865.
Corporal David McCollister, Company G, 81st Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, e. August 23, 1862, dis. July 13, 1865.
John O. MeNabb, Company F, 129th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, e. July 11, 1861, dis. August 29, 1865.
David Naveau, Company E, 130th Ohio National Guards, e May 2, 1864, dis. September 23, 1864,
Lester Newton, Company K, 169th Ohio National Guards, e. May 2, 1864, dis. September 4, 1864.
George Ollinger, Company D, 100th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. August 5, 1862, dis. May 26, 1865.
First Lieut. William Palmer, Company B, 68th Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, e. April 16, 1861, die. July 10, 1865.
Corporal George Partee, Company E, 14th Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, e. August 21, 1861, dis. August 4, 1865.
Corporal Joseph Partce, Company F, 48th Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, e. November 17, 1861, dis. May 9, 1866.
Corporal O. W. Partee, Compauy F, 48th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. November 9, 1861, dis. December 2, 1864.
Corporal Conrad Phiester, Company F, 130th Ohio National Guards, e. May 2. 1864, dis. September 22, 1864.
William Henry Ralston, Company K, 21st Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, e. April 24, 1861, dis. August 12, 1861.
Capt. David Renton, Company G, 38th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. August, 1861, dis. July, 1865.
George N. Rice, Company H, 82d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. No- vember 22, 1861, dis. January 2, 1865.
Sergeant John E. Riehar Ison, Company F, 48th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. October 26, 1861, dis. January 7, 1865.
Second Lieut. L. W. Richardson, Company G, 68th Ohin Volun- teer Infantry, e. April 19, 1861, dis. January 12, 1865.
Sergeant John Richholt, Company K, 2d Ohio Volunteer Cavalry e. November 14, 1862, dis. May 12, 1865.
Corporal Simon Ridennour, Company C, 183d Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, e. November 14, 1863, dis. July 17, 1865.
Luther H. Roberson, Company B, 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. April 24, 1861, dis. July 10, 1865.
James Romine, Company K, 25th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. e. September 12, 1864, dis, July 15, 1865.
Henry Rothenberger, Company G, 38th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. February 1, 1864, dis. July 12, 1865.
John Schuerman, Company K, 9th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. May 27, 1861, dis. July 14 1864.
Urialı Shasteeu, Company D, 100thi Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. July 29, 1862, dis. June 20, 1865.
Stephen M. Shirley, Company H, 25th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, c. September 12, 1864, dis. August 15, 1865.
Benjamin Shupp, Company I, Ist Michigan Infantry, e. Septem- ber 3, 1862, dis. November 9, 1865.
Sergeant Peter Sieren, Company B, 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, c. April 18, 1861, dis. July 10, 1865.
Henry Smiek, Company G, 38th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. Jnly 15, 1864, dis. June 1, 1865.
Sergenot George M. Schmidt, 3d Independant. Company, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, c. July 4, 1861, dis August 28, 1862.
William L. Saals, Company HI, 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, u. April, 1861, dis. June, 1865.
Major Benjamin F. Southworth, 111th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. August 9, 1862, dis. June 21, 1865.
George T. Squires.
187
HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
Daniel Stephens, Company G, 38th Ohio Volunteer Veteran In- fantry, c. September 1, 1861, dis. July 12, 1865.
Corporal M. B. Stevens, Company L, 10th New York Artillery, e. December 29, 1863, dis. June 30, 1865.
James A. Stoner, Company E. 14th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. February 28, 1864, dis. July 11, 1865.
Sergeant. John W. Stoner, Company I, 125th Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, e. August, 1861, dis. May 25, 1865.
Christophor Surrenner, Company C, 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, c. June 1, 1861, dis. June 27, 1865.
.James W. Townsley, Company D, 150th Illinois Volun. eer In- fantry, c. January 30, 1865, di ., January 16, 1866.
Sergeant. Nathaniel Vandusen, Company E, 111th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. Angust 11, 1862, dis. June 27, 1865.
Alvura Vanskiver, Company F, 48th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. January 17, 1864, dis. August 3, 1865.
Michael Vanvlerah.
Thomas B. Wade.
.John Widmer, Company G, 38th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. Jan- nary 24, 1864, dis. July 12, 1865.
Daniel W. White, Company K, 88th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. February 17, 1864, dis. July 12, 1865.
Sergeant Amos W. Whitney, Company K. 16th United States In- fantry, c. October 8, 1865, dis. December 31, 1837.
Musician George A. Williams, Company F, 48th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, c. October 19, 1861, dis. April 26. 1866.
Corporal J. D. Williamtoson, Company ET, 110th Pennsylvania Re- serve Corps, e. April 27, 1861, dis. June 16, 1865.
Francis M. Wing, Company C, 87th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. June 4, 1862, dis. October 1, 1862.
James Winterstein, Company B, 35th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. 1861, dis. 1864.
Second Lieut. Benjamin B. Woodcox, Company E, 111th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. Angust. 9, 1862, dis. March, 1865.
A. B. Woodruff, Company L, 3d Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, e. An- gust 26, 1862, dis. March G, 1863.
IInrvey Woods, Company A, 25th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, c. October 6, 1864, dis. October 6, 1865.
John I. Wordon, Company D, 142d Indiana Infantry, e. October 12, 1864, dis. July 14, 1865.
Musician Warner- Wredo, Company K, 107th Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, c. August 9, 1862, dis. July 10, 1865.
Sergeant Abner Yeager, Company B, 100th Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, e. S ptember 1, 1862, dis. June 20, 1865.
Corporal Gabriel Yenser, Company I, 1st. United States Engineers, e. August 21, 1861, dis. September 26, 1865.
John Zook, Company G, 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, e. Jan- mary 13, 1864, dis. July 10, 1865.
CHURCHES OF DEFIANCE.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church is situated on the corner of Third and Wayne streets, Defiance, Ohio. The first Methodist sermon was preached in Defiance in A. D. 1825, by Rev. William Simmons, of Xenia, Ohio. Soon after, a Rev. Mr. Weir also preached in the private house of Mr. Leavell, one of the town proprietors, having among his auditors Messrs. Leavell, Wasson, Warren, Dr. John Evans and William Craig. In 1826, Rev. Elias Pettit, the first regularly appointed Methodist minister, took charge at Defiance and in the same year organized a small society, who built a log church on the
lot now occupied by the parsonage. The names of the first members cannot now be found.
In 1834, the first Sunday school was organized with four officers and teachers and twenty-three scholars. In 1841, a board of trustees was organized, consisting of J. B. Seamans, Thomas Warren, Joseph Taylor, James Ward and Nathan Shirley. June 26, 1841, a new board of church trustees was created, consisting of J. B. Sea- mans, Thomas Warren, James Ward, Isaac Craig and Nathan Shirley, who were instructed to erect a new church, the contract for the building of which they let to J. B. Seamans, of Defiance, at $1,050. The church record goes back to 1832, and gives the following dates and ministers on Defiance Circuit :
1832 and 1833-William Sprague.
1834-Jacob Marten and John W. Cooley.
Defiance Circuit consisted of eleven preaching places as follows: Defiance, Perkins, Bowens, Richardsons, Coys, Hamiltons, Runyans, Banks, Quicks, Snooks and Shirleys; with but one log church which was in Defiance on the lot now occupied by the parsonage.
1835-Peter Sharp and Wesley Brock.
1836-McKendree Throp and Austin Coleman.
1837-Sanford C. Parker and Adam Minnis.
1838-Sanford C. Parker and Rolla II. Chub.
1839-J. S. Saxby and W. H. Collins.
1840-Ebenezer R. Hill.
1841 and 1842-John Brakefield and Silas D. Sey- more.
1843-Richard Biggs and John S. Kalb.
1844-John MeNabb and C. Johnson.
1845-J. M. Morrow.
1846 -- W. W. Winter and N. Gunn.
1847-W. S. Lunt and J. M. Wilson.
1848 -- Samuel Fairchild and T. L. Wait.
1849-Henry Chapman and D. W. Ocker.
1850 -- Benjamin Herbert and J. S. Cutler.
1851-Benjamin Herbert and F. W. Vestican.
1852 and 1853-Thomas Parker and John Froun- felter.
1854 -- James S. Albright and E. G. Longsworth. 1855 and 1856 -- Jacob F. Burkholder.
In 1857, Defiance was made a station and Rev. A. B. Poc appointed pastor, and the following ministers have since served the church : Jacob Fetgley, S. H. Alder- man, S. S. Barter, D. G. Strong, T. C. Reed, A. Berry, G. Leose, A. J. Fish, S. L. Roberts. In the spring of 1871, the present brick church was commenced and completed in 1873, at a cost of nearly $25,000.
The society now numbers 340 members ; the Sunday school, 400 scholars ; officers and teachers, forty. J. P. Butlington, Superintendent ; C. Bronson, Secretary. The records of the church show the following as official members : Rev. C. Weaner, Rev. B. F. Dromer, Rev. L. Tiedeman, J. A. Orcutt, J. P. Buffington, P. Ketten- ing, T. D. Harris, E. F. Aldrich, B. F. Southworth, L. E. Beardsley, C. E. Bronson, J. H. Whittaker. J. W. Childs,
188
HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
Mr. Shultz, R. H. Gleason, H. Powell, E. R. Mallet, D. Lehman, J. B. Ulrich, A. F. Harley, Quincy Fair- banks, J. Stoner, A. Finch, Rev. R. Henderson, P. E. Samuel L. Roberts, present pastor, June, 1883.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DEFIANCE, OHIO.
The first movement toward the organization of a Presbyterian Church in Defiance was made on the 10th day of August, 1837. A public meeting was called on that day for the purpose of forming an Ecclesiastical Society. Mr. N. B. Adams was called to the chair and Dr. Jonas Colby appointed Secretary. After the notice of the meeting was read, it was resolved that a com- mittee of three persons be appointed to form a consti- tution for said society.
The committee consisted of Dr. George W. Craw- ford, Benjamin Brubacher and G. C. Mudgett.
Mr. Pierce Evans, John W. Moore and N. B. Adams were appointed a committee to draw a subscription paper, and ascertain how much can be secured for the support of a Presbyterian or Congregational preacher.
It was also voted that the above committee confer with Rev. William B. Stowe and ascertain on what con- ditions he may be had as pastor of this society. This meeting then adjourned to meet August 19, at 3 o'clock P. M.
It does not seem that anything was done in the mat- ter of organizing the church which was made a matter of record until November 9, when a meeting was held by Rev. William B. Stowe and the names of a number of persons were obtained who were willing to unite in the organization of a Presbyterian Church.
On the 11th day of December, 1837, the church was formally organized by the adoption of the Presbyterian form of government and the election of Elders.
The following persons are the original members : Mr. N. B. Adams, Mr. Curtis Holgate, Mr. John Whitney, Dr. Jerome Allen, Mr. (afterward Doctor) Oramel H. Allen, Mr. Sereno Lyman, Mrs. Mary Adams, Mrs. Eliza Holgate, Mrs. Ruth Whitney, Mrs. Sarah Lewis, Mrs Phebe Allen, Mrs. Eliza Brubacher, Mrs. Abijah Thrall, Mrs. Almira F. Moore, Misses Juliette Holgate, Betsy A. Daggett and Miss Eunice Daggett, Mrs. Hannah Goodyear and Mrs. Parker. Mr. Nathaniel B. Adams and Mr. Curtis Holgate were chosen Elders, and Mr. Sereno Lyman was chosen Clerk.
Religious services were first held in the court house, the first brick building built in the town, which is still standing on Lot 58, the lot adjacent to the one now occupied by our present house of worship, and is used as a dwelling house by Henry Hardy, Esq., at this time. This old court house was the place where all schools were kept, and in which meetings of all kinds were held. It has been rendered historic from the fact that in it, about the year 1839, Morrison R. Waite, the present Chief Justice of the United States, made his first speech before a court of record, and we may add in
this connection that William C. Holgate, of our city, also made his first appearance in court in this case, as the opposing counsel.
The church was under the pastoral care of the Rev. W. B. Stowe until the spring of 1839, and enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity during his pastorate, a number of accessions being made to the church during this time. Mr. Stowe, on account of ill health, closed his labors on the 31st of March, 1839. January 15, 1840, Curtis Holgate, August 9, 1843, Nathaniel B. Adams, the first two Elders departed this life. December 11, 1840, the church invited the Rev. E. R. Tucker to be- come their pastor. Mr. Tucker accepted the call and was accordingly ordained and installed pastor on the 9th day of July, 1841. Mr. Tucker proved to be a man of earnest piety, and a devoted pastor. For twenty years he fulfilled the office to which he had been called with great fidelity. When he took charge of this con- gregation, the nearest Presbyterian Church was many miles distant, and he often had to travel fifteen or twenty miles on foot to attend funerals and perform other pastoral duties. It was through his exertions, supported by a few members, that the meeting house was built. While here, he declined a professorship in the University of Ohio at three times his salary as preacher. Twenty years of toil broke down his consti- tution, and soon after he retired to his old home in the East, and died at Newburyport, Mass., in January, 1861. At the time of Mr Tucker's call, the church was very weak in means ; only from $60 or $70 a year being raised for the support of the pastor in the church and congrega- tion for several years. Eliza Holgate, widow of Curtis Holgate, deceased, contributed about one-half of this amount, and boarded Mr. Tucker, then unmarried, being a young man of some twenty-one years of age, at $1 a week. Mrs. N. B. Adams also boarded Mr. Tucker about two years, at same price per week.
The congregation worshiped for some time in a room in a frame building known as the " Gray House," that had been used as a hotel, and that stood on Lot 44, the site of the residence of the late William Carter, de- ceased; afterward, in a building on the corner of Clinton and Front streets. This was an upper room of a struct- ure then occupied as a drug store by Dr. O. H. Allen. The building is now used as an agricultural warehouse.
The limited means of the church at this time was really not much greater, comparatively, than that of the town and country in those days. There was scarcely any money in it. The chief business currency was " county orders," rated at 50 and 60 cents on the dollar ; " canal due bills," issued by contractors then building the canal, rated at same price (for the bonds of the State were no higher) ; " wolf-scalp orders," coon and deer skins. It was deemed by some strange that Mr. Tucker should so patiently and perseveringly re- main and work with so small a pittance for a salary, but it was stranger still that he should have conceived
189
HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
the idea, in the close times and under the straitened circumstances I refer to, of securing the lot and the erection of the large and commodious edifice which the church now occupies. But Mr. Tucker started this then great enterprise for the church and succeeded in carry- ing it through. He had a few zealons assistants; of these I will now name Mrs. Eliza Brubacher, Mrs. Eliza Holgate and Dr. O. Il. Allen. Mrs. Eliza Holgate, whom. we have already mentioned, gave most of the lot on which the buikling is situated. Mrs. Holgate died De- cember 27, 1851. Two of her children, Mrs. E. G. Wil- ley and Mrs. E. P. Hooker, are now living at Defiance, and members and regular attendants of the church. The frame of this church was very heavy timber, put up by David L. Oliver, deceased, one of the best of car- peuters, who was the first husband of Mrs. Moon, now living in our city. It stood several years without being weather-boarded. To assist Mr. Tucker in carrying through his enterprise, Mrs. Eliza Brubacher, about this time, organized the first sewing society in the church, and at one of the gatherings of this society, on the com- pletion of a quilt, being asked what they were going to do with it, the ladies replied, " We are going to cover the church with it." Some assistance was also received from abroad. Mr. Tucker was a man of solid attain- ments and earnest piety, and enjoyed the confidence of every one while he remained resident of Defiance. He resigned the pastorate in 1860, and shortly afterward re- moved to Newburyport, Mass., where he soon after died. After Mr. Tucker's death, the church was under the ministerial charge of Rev. J. P. Stockton, now of West Unity, Ohio, for one year. Mr. Stockton was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. B. W. Slagle, in August, 1862. Mr. Slagle served as stated supply until July 11, 1870, when he received a call to become the settled pastor, and, accepting the call, he was regularly installed on the 11th of September, 1870, which position he still holds. During the present pastorate, the church has grown steadily in numbers and has enjoyed several prec- ious revivals of religion, in one of which the pastor was assisted by Rev. H. H. Wells, the result of which was an accession of about fifty persons to the communion of the church.
The church building has undergone great modifica- tions and improvements since its erection, the latest of which was made under the supervision of Mr. D. B. Turnbull, who constructed a recess at the rear of the church for the reception of a fine pipe organ, built by Steere & Turner, of Springfield, Mass. This addition also secured a study for the pastor, and an infant class room for the Sabbath school. . The audience room was also improved by the alteration of the windows, the pa- pering of the walls and ceiling of the church, the intro- duction of new seats, carpeting, and heating apparatus, etc., until they now have as neat and tasteful a house of worship as they could desire. The church and congre- gation are now in a flourishing condition, with a member-
ship of at least 150 in good and regular standing, and a Sabbath school about equal in numbers.
The officers of the church consist of the following : Rev. Bernard W. Slagle, pastor ; Elders-Messrs. E. P LIooker, F. W. Colby, L. G. Thacker, M. D., Thomas R. Carroll ; Trustecs-Messrs. D. B. Turnbull, George W. Deatrick, Dr. L. G. Thacker, Thomas R. Carroll ; Mr. Frank G. Brown, leader of choir ; Dr. J. L. Scott, Clerk.
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH.
BY REV. J. B. YOUNG.
This sketch begins with the year 1841, at which time Defiance had a population of very nearly 300 in- habitants, when Father Rappe for the first time said mass and preached in Timothy Fitzpatrick's house. But one more Catholic family then lived in Defiance-Frank Weisenburger's. There were then living in Defiance also the following young men and ladies : Adam Wilhelm, Joseph Grossel, Jehu P. Downes, Michael Caldwell, Joseph and Michael Decker, Barbara Reikhard (now Mrs. Weisenburger), and two servant girls, Agnes King and Mary Myers. Father Rappe visited Defiance every year until he was chosen and consecrated Bishop of Cleveland, in the year 1847. After him, Father De Goesbriand, now Bishop of Burlington, Vt., came a few times to Defiance. From 1847 to 1849, Father Foley attended the mission from Toledo ; after Father Foley, Father Cessare, residing at Maumee, followed for about a year and a half. In 1850, Defiance was made the center of its mission district, and Father Foliere was appointed the first residing pastor in Defiance, remain- ing about two years. In 1845, September 19, a lot 150 feet long and about forty-six feet front was donated and deeded by Horatio G. Phillips to I. B. Purvell (recorded Vol. I, 110, Purvell to Gilmour, Vol. II, 139). A frame church was built on it 22x30 feet. From 1841 to 1850, the number of Catholics in Defiance Village did not in- crease much, but some families moved into Defiance County and the neighboring counties, counting in all about fifteen families, some of whom joyfully crossed the woods twenty miles to occasionally assist holy mass and receive the holy sacraments. Their earnestness and zeal in practicing their religion, especially also in their family circles, are best known by their descend- ants, who to-day appreciate their religion better by far than many a family that now come from the old country, imbued to a great extent with a spirit, to say the least, of indifference toward the church. But it must also be said that not a few of them, for want of a regular church service, have ceased to practice their religion altogether, and all their descendants can remember of it is that their parents used to be Catholics. The population of Defiance in 1859 was 890.
From 1850 on, the young Catholic folks married, and some families arrived to settle on farms, Ohio then be- ing a State where land was cheap. In 1852, the Wabash Railroad was built through Defiance. About this time,
190
HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood, from Minster. Auglaize County, took charge of the congregation. They built a little frame house to the church for their resi- dence, and another was erected for the Sisters of their order, who came to teach school. It is to be remarked that Defiance, almost from its beginning, had a Catholic school, and always kept it up. In 1853, two more lots, each of the same size as the first one, were bonght and deeded by Horatio G. Phillips to Amadeus Rappe, (recorded Vol. VI, 344). In the same year, the congrega- lion bought five acres of land for cemetery ground (now known as the old cemetery), from William Lewis (re- corded Vol. IV, 158). The Fathers of the Most Precious Blood remained in charge of the congregation until October, 1855. We find the following names of them in the baptismal record : Patrick Hennebery, Andreas Herbstritt, Engelbert Roff and Jacob Kingsly. There were now about twenty-five families here. To them Fa- ther Westerholt, now rector of St. Peter's Church, Cleve- land, succeeded. He remained until June, 1858. During his administration, the number of families fully doubled. The increase was especially rapid in the village of Defi- ance itself, business men starting and beginning their enterprises. It became necessary to build a new church, Father Westerholt went to see his families, who very willingly subscribed for a new brick church, 35x75 feet.
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