USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 20
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There is one bank located here called "The Pleasantville Bank." It is capitalized at $25,- 000. It is a state bank having the following officers : President, Arthur Kinsel; vice presi- dent, Dr. A. V. Lerch ; cashier, E. C. Sawyer ; assistant cashier, Stanley M. Patterson.
The name of the postmaster is Frank D. Phipps.
The physicians located here are: Dr. A. V. Lerch, graduated March 3, 1892, at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio; and Dr. W. E. Baker, graduated March 21, 1895, at Starling Medical College. Dr. Lerch located in Pleasantville in March, 1892, and Dr. Baker in 1895. See Chapter XII.
Lodges
Knights of Pythias-C. C., John Friend; V. C. C., F. W. Bowman; Prelate, Trafford Bretz; M. of W., J. G. Bond; M. of A., J. M. Outcault; I. G., Elmer Miller ; O. G., Dudley Friend; K. of R. S., F. P. Schisler ; M. of E., J. L. Brooke; and M. of F., S. M. Patterson. The officers of the Masonic Lodge are: W. M., H. I. Turner; S. W., F. W. Wheeler; J. W., C. O. Tschopp; Treas., J. W. Stewart. Sec., F. A. Hampson; S. D., A. P. Lang; J. D., Eldridge Rowles : Tyler, James Biggs. Officers of the Odd Fellows are: N. G., Ar- thur Myers; V. G., Sherman Knode; Rec. Sec., Henry Stephens; Fin. Sec., B. E. Hoon ; Treas., O. O. Sperry.
Pleasant Grange, No. 1615: M., A. E. Mil- ler ; Overseer, I. C. Spitler ; Lecturer, Viola Reinchild; Steward, Roy Shide; Assistant Steward, Rolla Hite; Chaplain, Clara Deffen- baugh; Treas., J. W. Friend; Sec., C. L. Bright; gate-keeper, Byron Hite; Pomona, Mabel Ruffner ; Cercs, Mabel Bright; Flora, Helen Hampson; Lady Assistant, Carrie Dauterman; Organist, Blanche Friend.
The officers of the Pythian Sisters, Gwen- dolyn Temple, No. 183: P. C., Ethel Wheeler ; M. E. C., Gertrude De Rolph; E. S., Alice Hiles ; E. J., Flo Deffenbaugh ; Manager, Gae Buchanan; M. of R. S., Lizzie Schisler; M. of F., Louella Bunnell; Prot., Nema Patter- son ; guard, Zulla Dilley.
The officers of the Eastern Star: \V. M., Lillie Baker ; W. P., James Irick ; A. M., Sadie
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Keller; Treas., Frances Hempy; Sec., Clara Deffenbaugh; Con., Orpha Best; A. C., Bessie Sprague; warden, Margaret Buchanan; Ada, Anna Kraner; Ruth, Lottie Curtis; Esther, Martha Thomas; Martha, Effie Hempy ; Elec- tra, Margaret Thomas; Chaplain, Catherine Martin; Organist, Honor L. Embrey; Stew- ards, Alice Stewart and Margaret McNaugh- ten; sentinel, Martin McCleery.
The officers of the Daughters of Rebecca are: N. G., Mrs. John Wirts; V. G., Mrs. Frank Foster; Sec., Mrs. Daisy Rowles; Fin. Sec., Mrs. Lillie Hancue; treasurer, Mrs. Peter Daubenmire; chaplain, Mrs. Lillie My- ers.
The business firms of Pleasantville are as follows: The Henry Co. (Robt. & T. H.), Corbett & Friend (M. C. & A. W.), Thomas Bros. (I. A. & A. O.), general merchandise ; Wildemuth & Kellar (M. W. & J. A. K.) and J. H. Welker & Sons (J. H., C. H. & G. C.), hardware and farm implements; The Pleasantville Bakery (W. W. Forsythe, Prop.), The Pleasantville Lumber Co. (A. E. & R. T. McNaughten), The Pleasantville Mill- ing Co. (E. L. Troup, Wm. & Geo. North), J. L. Brooke Furniture Co. (J. L. Brooke, Prop.), Klalır Bros. (William & Simon), gro- cers; Lang Decorating Co. (A. P. Lang) ; Fred A. Hampson, funeral director; Crystal Window Glass Co .; Pleasantville Canning Co. (N. Miller, Prop.); M. J. Nickum, druggist, The Pleasantville Bank (A. Kinsel, Pres., C. E. Sawyer, cashier) ; The Pleasantville Times Printing Co. (J. A. De Rolph, Prop. and ed- itor) ; Cottage Hotel (John Grim, Prop.).
The churches are as follows: Methodist Episcopal, W. H. McDaniel, pastor; Meth- odist Protestant, C. P. Aller, pastor ; and Lu- theran, John Griffith, Pastor.
There are the following lodges: Masons, I. O. O. F., K. of P. and Grange.
The doctors of Pleasantville are Dr. A. V. Leech, Dr. W. E. Baker, Dr. R. B. Embrey, dentist, and O. L. Simms, veterinary. D. E. Sites is an attorney-at-law located in Pleasant- ville. The present mayor of the town is J. W. Stewart.
The township officers of Pleasant Township are as follows : Trustees : President of Board, Wmn. H. Kellar, Pleasantville; Ben Clump, Lancaster, and WV. H. Huston, Rushville. Clerk, Fred A. Hampson ; justice of the peace, Charles Busby, Lancaster.
THE RADEBAUGH FAMILY
Perhaps no family in Fairfield county is more widely or more favorably known than the Radebaugh family. They are of German extraction, the original fathers and mothers coming to this country long years ago from Germany and from Holland. They are found all over the United States, but have more largely made their homes in Ohio than in other states. A numerous branch of the family is found in Mercer county and in Franklin and Hancock, while a few are living in Allen. Mr. I. F. Raudabaugh (the name is variously spelled), of Celine, has written a genealogy of "family tree" which is very in- teresting and valuable.
Joshua Raudebaugh is a large lumber dealer in Lima, Ohio, and his sister, Miss Lillian, is a teacher in the Lima High school. A number of the younger generation are teachers.
Dr. Henry A. Raudabaugh was for many years a successful physician at Marysville, Ohio, then removed to Columbus, where he founded a large and successful hospital. But the largest number of this family belong to Fairfield county. One of the most noted members is Dr. Peter Radebaugh, who was born at the old homestead in Pleasant town-
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ship, February 14, 1854. He was the young- est child of Peter Radebaugh, whose family is given below.
Dr. Peter Radebaugh graduated from Mi- ami Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1887. He has had a most successful practice in Fair- field, Putnam and Anglaise counties. A few years ago he removed with his family to Sturgis, Mich., where he has a large and lucra- tive practice. Dr. Radebaugh married, in October, 1883, Miss Anna Violet Needles, who was born Nov. 17, 1861. They have two daughters-Joyce Kile Radebaugh, born in 1885, who is a successful teacher in Sturgis, Mich., and Loretta Foss Radebaugh, born May 12, 1890, a graduate from Mechanic's Institute, Rochester, N. Y., in 1910. She is a teacher of domestic science in the public schools of Ft. Wayne. Joyce graduated at Kalamazoo in the Normal course for primary teaching.
Dr. P. Radebaugh's Family Tree
Samuel Radebaugh, born Nov. 4, 1810. John Radebaugh, born March 8, 1813. Joseph Radebaugh, born Nov. 10, 1814. Peter Radebaugh, born Oct. 12, 1816. Daniel Radebaugh, born April 26, 1819. Abraham Radebaugh, born Sept. 19, 1820. Benuel Radebaugh, born Dec. 14, 1823. Salome Radebaugh, born July 4, 1828. The above are uncles and aunts.
The brothers and sisters are as follows : Mary Radebaugh, born Sept. 24, 1837. Susana Radebaugh, Sept. 16, 1839.
Emanuel Radebaugh, born Nov. 10, 1841. Emily Victoria Radebaugh, born Sept. 29, 1843.
Rosanna Radebaugh, born Oct. 30, 1845. Kezia Eve Radebaugh, born Oct. 13, 1847. Joanna Jane Radebaugh, born Oct. 14, 1851.
Peter Radebaugh, born Feb. 14, 1854.
The family of Nicholas Radebaugh is re- ferred to in the sketch of Enos Strawn Miller, father of the Editor. Another branch of this family in Fairfield includes W. H. Radebaugh of Lancaster, the well known merchant tailor and Sunday school worker.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP
Richland Township is bounded on the north and east by Perry County, on the south by Rush Creek Township, on the west by Wal- nut and Pleasant Townships.
It is believed that this township was so named because of the richness and fertility of its soil. Richland was cut down in 1817 by striking off two tiers of sections, from its eastern side to be attached to Perry County, thus reducing its dimensions to four sections wide by six in length-the smallest township in Fairfield County.
Among the first settlers, were: William Wiseman, Theodore Turner, Stephenson and Ijams families and Judge William McClung. Judge McClung was a prominent public man and died in West Rushville in 1876, at a very advanced age. Abram Geil, James Rowland and Jesse Rowles are likewise mentioned as among the pioneers in the township. Mor- decai Stevens was an early settler and leading farmer; he lived and died on the land first entered by his father. William Coulson was a leading man of Rushville, both in trade and as an active and devoted Methodist. Patrick Owens is said to have sold the first goods in Richland; and Moses Plummer, the proprietor of the first mills on Rush Creek, between the two villages, in the year 1802.
These villages, as well as Richland Town- ship, shared with all other parts of the county in the early organization of religious societies and churches; but their first meetings were held in the log cabins of the settlers, Rev.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Clymer and James Quinn were the pioneer Methodist preachers in Richland.
The first marriage of the township was be- tween Edward Murphy and Sarah Murphy in 1802. The ceremony was performed by William Trimble.
Dr. Nathaniel Waite was a physician in West Rushville at an early day; and Dr. Ide of East Rushville. The first postmaster was Marquette. Harper is named as the first blacksmith.
In former years vast quantities of tobacco were packed and shipped from both the Rush- villes. It was a staple product of that end of the county. The leading men in the tobacco trade were the Ijams, Coulson and Vansant.
Zane's trace passed through East and West Rushville and in 1840 was made a turnpike. The Toledo and Ohio Central R. R. passes through this township midway between the two villages, East and West Rushville. There are two villages in the township-East Rush- ville (now known as Rushville) and West Rushville. East Rushville was laid out in 1808 by Joseph Turner and called Clinton. Soon afterwards the name was changed to East Rushville.
The settlers of Richland Township have special religious advantages for in the Steven- son settlement as early as 1806 or '07 there was a Methodist campmeeting-the first in Ohio. James B. Finley, the famous pioneer M. E. preacher, Charles Waddle, James Quinn, Jacob Young, and Asa Shinn were at- tendants and participated in these meetings. The first church erected in the township was by the Methodists in 1810. It was located on Section 28 in a log cabin. In 1830 it was merged into the East Rushville M. E. Church. Rev. Howard McDaniel is the pastor of this church and he also preaches at Pleasantville, West Rushville and Marsh's Chapel. The
teachers of Rushville are R. E. Stone, super- intendent; Guy Garwood, principal; Harry Dauterman, grammar department; and Amy Beery, primary.
The following business firms are in business in Rushville: Kerr, Shaw & Co., hardware and groceries; J. W. Lewis, dry goods, no- tions; J. M. Lidey, dry goods, notions, boots, shoes and groceries; H. B. Whitmore, gro- ceries and postoffice; Edward Cover, hotel; Rushville Banking Co .; C. R. Turner, black- smith; W. F. Miley, hardware; Rushville Bell Telephone Co .; G. G. Graves, jewelry repairing; Frank Puller, saddlery; George Basore, butcher; J. H. Fultz, attorney-at-law ; J. C. Elder, notary public : B. F. Linville, un- dertaker; Clarence Stevison, barber; D. A. Biddle, dealer in furs; Shaw and Bauman, grain dealers; Murphy and Spence, grain dealers; George C. Kalb, printer; T. A. Mil- ler, public auctioneer; Dr. W. C. Lewis and Dr. E. P. Trumper.
The lodges of the town are Masonic Lodge with the following officers: T. H. Fahrer, W. M .: R. W. Hyde, S. W .; Dr. E. P. Trumper, J. W .; B. F. Linville, secretary ; C. C. Swine- hart, treasurer; F. G. Love, S. D .; C. K. Hyde, J. D .; and W. M. Combs, tyler. The Eastern Star Lodge has the following officers : Mrs. Jennie Murphy, W. Matron; Mr. F. G. Love, W. Patron; Mrs. Etta Elder, A. M .; Mrs. Rosetta Linville, conductress; Mrs. Emma Lewis, assistant conductress; P. R. Murphy, secretary; Mrs. Harriet Kuhn, treasurer; Mrs. Rebecca Clum, Adah ; Miss Hattie Parks, Ruth; Mrs. Rosetta Phillips, Esther; Mrs. Virginia Book, Martha; Mrs. Uphemia Crist, Electa; Mrs. Clementine Kerr, chaplain ; Miss Ida McDaniels, organist ; Miss Catherine Combs, warder; Mr. J. C. Elder, sentinel; and Miss Emma Kuhn, mar- shal.
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
The city officials of Rushville are the fol- lowing: J. C. Elder, Mayor; J. M. Lidey, clerk; S. B. Neely, treasurer; S. S. Turner, marshal; and Dr. W. C. Lewis, health officer. The councilmen are C. R. Turner, president of council; Owen Smith, James F. Morrow, David Funks, T. A. Stoltz and T. G. Swine- hart.
The township officers of Richland town- ship: P. F. Benadum, Henry Anneshansley and William Westall, trustees; John Johnson, constable; D. H. Fahrer, treasurer; R. W. Hyde, clerk; Jesse Steth, justice of the peace; Emanuel Shoemaker, justice of the peace ; Jacob Crist, assessor; Rushville School Board is composed of the following members : J. H. Fultz, R. W. Hyde, Ray Nickum and F. F. Lewis.
RUSH CREEK TOWNSHIP
Rush Creek lies south of Richland, and borders on the east of Berne and Pleasant Townships. Settlements began in this town- ship in 1799. It is a six section township con- taining 23,040 acres of land. Bremen is its village and is situated about the middle of the township. Rush Creek and Raccoon are the principal streams that pass through it. The Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley rail- road cuts it in the center. Nearly all the sur- face of Rush Creek is arable and fertile. The names derives from Rush Creek, its principal stream.
The survey of this township, and of that part of the country, was made by Elnathan Scofield, an early citizen of Lancaster, soon after the first settlement of the county.
The names of the men who first entered land within the bounds of Rush Creek Town- ship, mostly along Rush Creek, here follow: John Larimore, William Thompson, John Carr, David Martin, William Martin, John
Cone, James Young, Charles McClung, Henry Sellers, John Patton, William McGinnis, John Willis, Abraham Geil and others.
The township was organized in 1804; and its first election was at the house of a Mr. Hammels soon after.
In 1810, Samuel Hammel built the first mill on Rush Creek; and a little later Mr. Lieb built a saw and grist-mill, also on Rush Creek; Casper Hufford also built a grist-mill on Rac- coon very early in the settlements.
The settlements began along the creeks in 1800, but the eastern portion of the township was settled later. Many of the first comers settled down on the squatter plan, and after- wards when the land came into market, bought their places at two dollars an acre. It is that no competition was gone into in the purchase, which was the result of mutual understanding among the squatters.
One of the Larimores was the first justice of the peace, and Charles McClung was elected to the same office in 1804. William McClung, a brother of Charles, was a prominent citizen of the township. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, serving under General Sanderson, who was then captain of a company from Fairfield County. Subsequently he repre- sented the county in the State Legislature and was Associate Judge of the Common Pleas in 1840 and 1841.
The Presbyterians were the first to hold re- ligious services in the township and their first church was of hewed log, built in 1807 in the northwest part of the township. There are now two churches of this belief; one in Bre- men and one in Section 25, called Bethel Church.
The German Baptist Church in Section 28 was organized in 1805. In an early day, this congregation had preaching only four times a year.
12
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
The Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in section 34 was built in 1835. Blasius Schmeltzer built the church with all the other buildings and donated these with 80 acres of land to the church.
Mt. Zwingle Reform Church is in section 2. It was built in 1839 and a new frame structure took its place in 1876.
The Mt. Zion Brethren in Christ Church was built in 1858 in section 18.
The Union United Brethren Church was built in 1826 in Section 10.
The Pleasant Hill Mennonite Church was built in Section 26 in 1835, the second struc- ture was built across the road from the old church.
The Jerusalem Reformed German Church was built in 1835 on a line between Sections 13 and 14. (A. A. Graham, 1883.)
Two railroads pass through Rush Creek Township, the Toledo and Ohio Central with the only station of the township at Bremen, and the Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley with a station also at Bremen. There is no electric line through this township. (1912.)
The township officers of Rush Creek Town- ship are as follows: Trustees-Charles Sei- fert, Ed. Young and J. W. Rittgers. Treas- urer-F. M. Bunn ; clerk-J. W. Mccullough ; constable-Elijah Hillyard; school board- Reuben Weltz, Wes McCandlish, Clint Shaw, Sam Rowles, A. H. McVeigh. The tax dupli- cate is $1,980,340.00.
BREMEN
Bremen is the only village of Rush Creek Township; it was platted in 1834 upon the southeast corner of Section 16, or the school lands, by George Beery. At the end of 50 years it only had about 200 population. In an carly day mail came to Bremen only once a week from McConnellsville, being carried on
horseback each Friday morning and the re- turn trip being made on the following day. As late as 1854, twenty years after the village was laid out, it had no railroad, but July 4, 1855, the first train passed through Bremen on the Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley R. R., and that caused as much excitement in those days as the finding of gas and oil in these later days.
The families in the early day at Bremen were people of integrity and thrift. Some of the names to be found are: Hughes, Rhoda- haver, Beery, Moore, Ashbaugh, Stewart, Rowles, Leib, Stemen, Everett, Mccullough, Houston, Cameron, Black, Moyer, Johnston, Kelsey, Davis, Young, Sanderson, Poling, Shaw, Martin, Thompson, Neeley and Mc- Clung. The last twenty years the following have been household words about Bremen; Purvis, Ricket, Cusac, Shelhamer, Strayer, Driver, Kagay, Bell, Black, Ruff and Huddle.
The commercial history of Bremen did not begin till 1907, when the first oil well of the Old Bremen Co. "came in" with a good show- ing of oil. From that day to this, Bremen has been the center of one of the best oil fields in Ohio, having not only a good quan- tity of oil but the quality is the same as Penn- sylvania oil and commands the same price.
Over 150 stock companies have been formed (a more extensive description will be found in Chapter VII.) and the most striking pe- culiarity of the Bremen field is that nearly all the territory is controlled by local people. Every farmer within the radius of 15 miles from Bremen, who has the price, has a variety of stocks; some of them pay, some do not.
The town is wide awake, up-to-date, improv- ing all the time, because of its good, substan- tial citizens. In 1890 its population was 244, in 1900. 466 and in 1910, 925.
It was incorporated in 1894; the first mayor .
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was L. O. Binkley ; clerk, C. W. Rickett ; Mar- shal, William Wehr; treasurer, J. E. Powers; council, Henry Shull, Albert Turner, S. V. Lehman, H. M. Shelhamer, F. P. Strayer and N. W. Good.
The city officers now are: Mayor, J. H. Downhour; marshal, Lee Haukinson; clerk, Edward Purvis; and treasurer, Geo. Baldwin.
The council is Levi Kennedy, Levi Huddle, H. M. Shelhamer, J. E. Purvis, George J. Frasch, Lincoln Olive.
Bremen has waterworks,, sewerage system, gas and electric lights.
The paper, the Bremen Derrick, is published by W. J. Mortal and son. The largest De- partment Store in Fairfield County is the Shelhamer Store in Bremen. It was estab- lished in 1877.
In February, 1903, this store with 15 other buildings burned to the ground. The Shel- hamer store, a two-story brick block, was re- built the next year, but the other buildings were not rebuilt until the last five years. In this store there is nothing omitted that is to be found in first class department stores. Other stores in Bremen are: Leonard & Kennedy, hardware; Bell & Bell, hardware; George A. Staker, furniture and undertaking; Wehr & Son, grocers; Olive & Son, grocers; Ruff & Son, meat market.
There are two banks in Bremen: The Bremen Bank Co., H. H. Shelhamer, presi- dent: George Baldwin, cashier; and the First National Bank, H. E. Young, president; and A. D. Hufford, cashier.
There are two hotels-European, S. W. Friesner, proprietor; Park, E. E. Grove, proprietor.
The following industries are found there : Oil Well Supply Co., Higbee Tool Co., West- erman Boiler Shop, Voviard and Seyfang Sup-
ply Co., Bremen Mill & Lumber Co., Bremen Manufacturing Co., and Turner Mill Co.
General department stores-Olive & Son; The Home Store Co .; J. M. Mccullough & Co.
Groceries-The Home Store Co .; J. M. Mccullough & Co .; Ruff & Son.
Bakery-Frank Resch.
Barber shops-J. C. Seifert; Henry Hof- gens; C. E. Maxwell.
Milliner stores-Blair & Colborn; Lillian Stimson; Mrs. Wm. Grove.
Cement Block Factory-John Seifert.
Coal dealers-David Hendricks; F. M. Kittle; Turner Bros .; J. P. Seifert.
Confectionery & fruit store-James Moses.
Drug store-Mrs. Dora H. Swartz.
Milling, Hay & Grain Dealers-John P. Eversole.
Harness shop-J. T. Barret.
Automobile garage-J. W. Huddle.
Restaurants-Busy Bee; Hillyard & Son; Henry Miley.
Torpedo companies-Agnew; Lancaster; Producers.
Blacksmith shops-John Hill; William Ginnery.
Livery & feed stables-R. C. Thompson; Jas. Kennedy.
Gas and oil supplies-Bovaird & Seyfang ; Bessemer Gas Engine Co .; Reid Gas Engine Co .: Acme Fishing Tool Co.
Junk dealers-Bremen Iron & Steel Co .; Shenker Bros.
Tank builders-Collins Bros. Tank Co.
Rig builders-Sharpnack & Co .; T. D. Whiston.
The Buckeye Pipe Line Pumping Station. Capacity, 8,000 bbls. per day.
There are three rural routes.
There are side walks over the entire town.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
The Water System is ideal. There is a them. It is to this ambitious spirit of reach- reservoir of cement, perfectly enclosed ; water soft and absolutely pure ; capacity of reservoir, 5,000 barrels ; pressure 75 lbs. per square inch.
The Sewer System is complete.
Population, 1,400 (1912).
There are three physicians in Bremen: Dr. A. A. Bradford, who graduated from the Toledo Medical College in 1885 and came to Bremen in 1893; Dr. C. W. Brown gradu- ated from Starling Medical College in 1910 and came to Bremen that year; and Dr. Mc- Adoo. Ray Spurgeon and W. M. Scott are dentists located here. J. F. Thompson is an attorney-at-law, and E. R. Johnston, a Civil Engineer.
LODGES
A lodge of F. & A. M. was organized at Bremen in the fall of 1909. It worked under dispensation until January 20, 1911, when it was duly chartered, dedicated and instituted with forty members.
The lodge has been prosperous and harmo- nious, enjoying a strong spirit of brotherly love. The inspiration of the truth of its teach- ings and the strong enthusiastic moral char- acter of its members have imbued the institu- tion with strength and zeal not often found in so young a society. Thirteen applicants' petitions were received at its first stated meet- ing. At this writing, March 1, 1912, there is a class of seven apprentices. Not all who have knocked at the door of Free Masonry have entered the sanctum sanctorum. As no society is stronger than the mean average of its mem- bers, this lodge recognizes the fact that to be strong, be a force for good, and accomplish results worth while, the standard of moral character must be high.
Religion and liberty never lower themselves to be reached. We must reach up to grasp
ing up for higher things, that makes us grow stronger in temperance, prudence, fortitude and justice, and all the other good qualities that ennoble the soul, fitting us for that Celestial Lodge not made with hands, eternal in the heavens above.
The officers of the lodge during its forma- tion period have been men of strong character and prudent forethought. Bro. J. M. Lidey was the first W. M. and it is to his wise coun- sels that the lodge has been built up and its success achieved. The present officers are : S. W. Crawford, W. M .; A. F. Turner, S. W .; H. D. McCandlish, J. W .; E. T. Purvis, Chaplain; Ray Spurgeon, S. D .; J. H. Griggs, J. D .; L. H. Kennedy, treasurer ; W. C. Ricket, secretary; L. T. Colbourne and C. E. Thompson, stewards; C. E. Miley, tyler.
The Crescent Lodge, No. 561, I. O. O. F. was instituted October 2, 1873 and meets Wednesday.
The following are the officers : Noble Grand, Geo. Jourdan; Vice Grand, E. R. Johnston; Rec. Secy., Ray Spurgeon; Finan- cial Secretary, R. R. Black; Treasurer, Rob- ert Funk. The membership is 87. The lodge was instituted October 4, 1873, and of the eleven charter members nine are still living, two having died in the past two years. The oldest members are Noah Westenberger and S. H. Alexander, each having been a member 41 years. The lodge meets every Wednesday night in its own building.
Churches
There are four churches in Bremen. The First M. E. church had a humble beginning one hundred years ago. The original society built a small house of worship about two miles northeast of Bremen where Grandview Ceme- tery now is located. A very few are living
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