USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Ohio : her people, industries and institutions > Part 22
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
Pleasant View Baptist church was organized in Jefferson township near Pleasant View, by N. M. Longfellow, with about twenty-five charter mem- bers, in 1865-6. Soon thereafter they erected a frame edifice in which to worship. In 1880 there were fifty members. Among the early-day pastors
235
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
will be recalled by older men and women the names of Reverends Churchill, Moore, Perry, Longfellow and McIlvaine.
Paint Creek Baptist church was organized in 1818, and in 1840 it had a membership of more than a hundred, while the association had five hundred and forty-five in all, the same being known as the Scioto Presbyterian Baptist Association, organized in 1805, Pleasant Run being the first church formed in the association. When the Civil War came on, there was a split in this church which was never healed.
Good Hope Baptist church, according to a sketch written many years since by Rev. S. C. Tussing, was organized in 1834. The woods served as the meeting places, there being no suitable houses in which to worship. Elder Snelson was perhaps the first preacher to bring a message to these Baptist believers in Wayne township. In 1838 a meeting house was erected and served many years. The first regular pastor was Elder Burnet, who preached only once a month. Elder J. R. Moore finally was called to preach in con- junction with Reverend Burnet, and in time a great trouble arose which severed the church membership. It was over "home" and "foreign mis- sions." It was bitter in its character. One faction held to paying only toward home causes, while the other wing contended that foreign fields should also be looked after. Elder Burnet and his minority of nine mem- bers left the others in 1832 and organized a church of their own known as the Good Hope Baptist church. These members were as follows: John Harper, Delilah Harper, Susannah Brakefield, James and Rebecca Cory, Greenup Campbell and wife, Elizabeth Bainter and Parence Brannon. The other wing, after a time, refused to let this side worship in the building and so they built one of their own. At this point was finally built the village of Good Hope. In March, 1881, a new church building was commenced, a brick structure thirty-six by forty-eight feet, costing two thousand five hun- dred dollars. At that date this church had a membership of seventy-five. The present ( 1914) membership is thirty-three. The pastors serving since about 1890 are: Revs. D. Trickler, W. R. Thomas, J. B. Islep, B. J. George, N. H. Long, J. Niddic, J. Giboney, Arthur Cooper, Albert Venting, N. H. Long, T. T. Carey, N. A. Cush.
The Regular Baptist Church of Christ, in Paint Creek, was made up of members transferred from Caesar's Creek church, in Greene county, in 1822. Services were held in the vicinity up to 1846, when an edifice was provided the congregation, at Bloomingburg, and it was then known as the First Regular Baptist church. Here the first pastor was Elder Chandler Tuttle. who died in 1863; after this the church soon went down.
236
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
The Old School Baptist church in Paint township at first met at various buildings within the vicinity, then erected a small chapel on the Blooming- burg and Midway pike. After a number of years' struggle the society ceased to exist.
Fairview German Baptist church was the first Dunkard society in Fay- ette county. It was founded here by John Cadwallader and Peter Eyman. A school house was built in 1844 and the land was donated with the under- standing that the building should also be free to this society. Cadwallader commenced preaching in the new building. In 1853-4 a building was erected at the junction of the New Holland road and the Chillicothe and Washing- ton pike. It was a frame structure, forty by sixty feet. Meetings were had twice each month.
The First Baptist church of Washington C. H. was formed by eleven persons, namely : John Franks, William Harper, Z. W. Banghn, Samuel F. Yeoman, Asenath Yeoman, Bethiah L. Yeoman, N. K. Dikerson, Mary Franks, Rebecca Baughn, Rebecca Blue and Mary Curry. These were the constituted members of the church. For many years Asenath Yeoman was the only Baptist in Washington.
The church was organized in due form on February 21, 1840. Revs. Azel Waters and Albert Wedge acted as moderator and clerk. The session was held in the Presbyterian church.
The pastors have been: Revs. . Azel Waters, Albert Wedge, A. D. Freman, W. D. Woodruff, I. K. Bronson, Thomas Goodwin, W. D. Wood- riff, J. W. Heistand, J. B. Tuttil, C. T. Emerson, J. R. Powell, Winham Kidder, Armstrong, W. W. Sawyer, S. T. Griswold, C. A. McManis, J. R. Powell, C. W. Lloyd, C. V. Northrup, T. B. Collins, W. H. Wagoner, W. J. Coulston, W. B. Hartzog, A. J. Tuttle, July, 1900, to August, 1901 ; J. J. Kett, September, 1906, to December 10, 1908; W. A. Gibboney, November, 1901, to November, 1902; F. W. Irvin, December, 1902, to September, 1906; A. W. West; May 16, 1909, and present pastor.
This church now enjoys a membership of two hundred and fifty-eight. On August 24, 1844, this church was received into the Straight Creek Bap- tist Association, but in 1849 it was transferred to Caesar Creek Association (now Clinton ). In 1847, when Rev. A. D. Woodruff became pastor, ser- vices were held in the old court house. In 1862, under Rev. T. C. Emmerson as pastor, a house of worship was erected at a cost of eight thousand dollars. On September 8, 1885, a cyclone destroyed the church, but on September 21, 1888, a new church was dedicated, the cost of which edifice was ten thousand dollars. In 1890 a parsonage was provided the society.
237
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, COLORED.
The Second Baptist church of Washington C. H. was organized June 12, 1855, by Elder George W. Bryant, with three members: Jordan Kelly, James L. Thornton and Boswell Kelly. Jacob Emmons, a licensed preacher, was called as a supply, and preached for them until the year 1858, when Elder A. Carter was called to the pastorate. In the latter part of 1858 he departed this life. He was succeeded by Elder R. Allen, who continued in charge of the church until 1860, when he was succeeded by Elder A. Pratt, who continued pastor till 1866. He was succeeded by Elder Cox.
Up to the year 1867 there had been no special revival of religion, but the church had gradually grown from three members to thirty. In the winter of 1867, under the administration of Elder Cox, an interesting revival took place and thirty persons were added to the church. Elder Cox remained pastor till 1872, when he was succeeded by Elder John Powell, who remained pastor till some time in the year 1873. Elder Powell was succeeded by W. A. Meredith, a licensed preacher who was ordained in 1875 and remained pastor till about the year 1877. During his pastorate a very interesting re- vival was held, which resulted in the addition of twenty-seven members to the church. Elder Meredith was succeeded by Elder Benjamin Smith, who took charge of the church in 1878 and remained pastor till June, 1879, when he was succeeded by Elder E. M. Marion, in September. On the first of January, 1880, a revival of religion was begun and resulted in fifty additions to the church, making in all about one hundred and sixty members who had been received into the fellowship of the church.
In the year 1857 the church purchased a lot on North street, opposite the Central school building, and built a frame house, in which they held services until about the year 1868, when the old house was torn down, and a brick building erected, costing about two thousand five hundred dollars.
There has been a Sabbath school connected with the church since the year 1858. The society still flourishes, but no data was furnished the author. It is understood that a new building is being contemplated in the near future. There is also a good colored Baptist church at Bloomingburg.
THE FRIENDS SOCIETY.
A little colony of Friends (Quakers) was established in Perry township among the pioneer settlers. This colony included Isaac Toddhunter, Thomas and Monlica Ellis and David Dutton, all making their settlement in the spring
238
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
of 1805, soon after which they begun to hold informal meetings on the corner of Mr. Toddhunter's yard, but no organized effort took place until 1809, when a subordinate branch was had and it was styled the Walnut Creek church. Many of its later membership resided in Highland county. In 1880 the society numbered two hundred. It was doubtless this society which in later years built the brick edifice near New Martinsburg which in February, 1904, was demolished by the great wind storm. It was a fine building, situated in Walnut creek, and was built about 1892. It was com- pletely destroyed, the roof having been blown into a near-by field and the main structure reduced, before anything was known of it by the neighbors.
THE FREE CHURCH ASSOCIATION.
In about the year 1848 the citizens of Jeffersonville organized a society which had for its object the erection of a church, to be non-sectarian in its character and to be occupied by the various denominations alternately. The stockholders met March 6, 1848, and purchased a part of the school lot in district No. 13 and decided to erect a house of worship thereon, which was to be of frame, fifty-four feet in length and thirty-eight feet in width. It was stipulated that the house should be used by all denominations and the Sons of Temperance were granted the privilege of building a stairway to the gar- ret and occupying the same, provided they made the necessary improvements. Its friends subscribed nine hundred eighty-three dollars and fifty-seven cents, in addition to which separate funds were raised for the stoves and lamps, the latter by the ladies. The church was occupied by the Methodist, Universalist and Methodist Protestant denominations and has been in charge of a non- sectarian board of trustees.
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
The First Universalist church of Jeffersonville was organized in August. 1860, by Rev. E. Moore, of Locust Grove, Adams county, Ohio, in the Union meeting house. Officers were soon elected as follows: William Palmer, Joseph Hidy, John F. Gregg, deacons and trustees ; Gilbert Ferrell, treasurer, and H. K. Peterson, secretary. Rev. Moore continued as pastor eight years and was succeeded by Rev. W. S. Bascom, who gave way to Rev. L. D. H. Corwin, and he in turn to Reverend Tucker, who remained three years. Then followed Miss Prud Le Clerk, a distant relative of Napoleon Bonaparte. and she died Christmas day, 1878. In 1873 the society commenced to build
239
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
a church edifice of brick, costing four thousand dollars. In 1881 this society had a membership of about sixty-three. At one date it had enrolled over eighty members. but death and removal from the county had depleted its numbers largely. The organization is still maintained, however. Mrs. H. McGrew is the present secretary of the church. Meetings are not kept up regularly.
TRINITY PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
On Thursday evening, December 4, 1879, presided over by the Rev. J. H. Logie, rector of St. Phillip's church, Circleville, a meeting was held at the residence of Mr. J. M. Love. At that meeting all the persons in Wash- ington C. H. who were interested in the Episcopal church were present. An organization was effected by the election of an executive committee, com- posed of the following gentlemen: J. M. Love, Edwin Bird. R. M. Cham- pion, J. S. Gold, Clarence Snyder, Edwin Proctor and Charles A. Palmer. These gentlemen were invested with authority to act in the capacity of a vestry, Messrs. Love and Bird to act as wardens.
Previous to this date ( December 4, 1879) occasional services had been held by the Rev. Mr. Logie, of Circleville, and the Rev. Mr. Fischer, of Chillicothe, but at this meeting arrangements were made for regular services, and the first of such services were held on Thursday evening, December II, 1879. At this service further arrangements were made by which the Rev. Mr. Logie was to take pastoral oversight of the work and, with the assistance of the neighboring clergy, hold services on alternate Sundays in the Baptist church.
The first Sunday service was held December 28, 1879. In the afternoon the Sunday school was organized. At first the school met at the residence of Mr. Love, but its growth was so rapid that it became necessary, in the course of three weeks, to take it to the church. For several months the services were held in the Baptist house of worship, but were removed to the city hall and subsequently to the court house.
On the 16th of May, 1880, the mission was placed in the hands of the Rev. Norman H. Badger, who thus became the first rector of Trinity church. His tenure of office, however, was very short, he being called to a parish in northern Ohio in January, 1881. For three months the mission was without a pastor. The Sunday school was, however, carried on by the ladies of the congregation, of whom mention may be made of Miss Nannie Love, Miss Julia Campbell, Mrs. J. C. Von Buhlow, Mrs. Champion and Miss Tinnie Cleaveland.
240
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
In March, 1881, arrangements were made by which the Rev. George Rogers, a graduate of Bealey Hall Theological Seminary, Gambier, Ohio, and a presbyter of the diocese of Kentucky, took charge of the mission.
With the passing years this church has not succeeded as have others, and at present the membership of communicants is small. They do not worship in a building of their own, but have frequent services.
CHURCH OF CHRIST (IN CHRISTIAN UNION ).
This church was formed at Washington C. H., about 1904, by O. T. Terguson. It now has a membership of about one hundred. It owns a church building valued at from one thousand eight hundred dollars to two thousand dollars. The pastors who have had charge of the work since organization was perfected are Revs. O. T. Terguson, J. H. McKibban and H. C. Leeth.
There are also churches of this denomination in Fayette county, as follows: On the Fayette county side of the village of New Holland is found a handsome church property. There the work was organized by J. H. McKibban, in 1902. At Pancoastburg, Reverend McKibban also formed a church in 1902. The work was also organized at Jeffersonville, this county.
OLDEST CHURCH BUILDING IN COUNTY.
The oldest church building in Fayette county was destroyed by a severe wind storm in February, 1912. It stood on land owned by William S. Parker, five miles north of Bloomingburg, and was erected by the Baptist denomination about 1813 to 1815. It was a frame structure and for many years has been used as a machine shed by the owner of the farm where it stood. It was on the side of the Bloomingburg and Sedalia pike. The storm demolished this old landmark and threw its ancient roof across the highway into a field.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Catholic worship in Washington C. H. was begun, and for some time maintained, under very trying circumstances. Father Blake first celebrated mass in 1852 in a shanty occupied by Michael Flynn, while engaged in con- structing the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley railroad. The attendants were principally railroad men, most of whom left when the road was com- pleted. The following, however, remained and became the pillars of the
241
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
present flourishing society : John Coghland and his brother, Thomas, Michael O'Garrath, Martin Brannan, John Saunders, Patrick Burke and mother, Mr. Grady and Michael Flynn. Father Blake continued to preach occasionally until the road was finished, after which Father Duffey, who was stationed at Circleville, came once a month, bringing with him a choir from that place. He first celebrated mass at Flynn's house, but shortly afterward Ely's hall, then just completed, was engaged, and Father Duffey continued to come until his deatlı, which occurred at Circleville about one year after his first services at Washington.
After Father Duffey's death, Father Reagan, stationed at Lancaster, came occasionally during one summer and ministered to the flock. After him, Father Everett, of Lancaster, paid it one visit ; and he was followed by Father Fitzgerald, of Columbus, who celebrated mass once. Father Pindar, who was stationed at Circleville, then came once a month for about one year, and mass was celebrated at Ely's hall and confessional held at John Sander's house.
Near the close of Father Pindar's services, the Catholic church on Main street, now owned and occupied by the Colored Methodist church, was com- pleted, and was dedicated by the Rev. Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati. Father Pindar and Father J. B. O'Donohue were present at the dedication. Pindar remained with this charge about one year, when he apostatized, mar- ried, and became an Episcopal minister. Archbishop Purcell appointed Father J. B. O'Donohue, stationed at Morrow, to take charge of the congre- gation.
About six months after Father O'Donohue's appointment, he proposed to the congregation the erection of a more commodious place of worship, in a part of the town more suitable for a cemetery. Accordingly the church property on Main street was sold to the Colored Methodist church for the sum of two thousand dollars and three acres of land were purchased of Judge D. McLain at one hundred dollars per acre, east of town, just outside of the present corporation limits, on which a substantial two-story brick church, forty by sixty-two feet, was erected.
In the fall of 1879 Father Felton, by nativity a German, succeeded Father O'Donohue. During his pastorate a fair was held, which was at- tended largely by Protestants, and one thousand, seven hundred dollars was cleared to the congregation, which was to be appropriated toward purchasing a residence for the priest. In August, 1880, Father Felton was transferred,
(16)
242
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
and Father Michael O'Donohue was sent from Hillsboro, Ohio, to supply his place.
This is not a strong Catholic county, hence the work is about all limited to that found in Washington C. H. A good brick church edifice was erected in 1885, and is still standing, and is capacious enough for the present congre- gation. The data for further history concerning this congregation was sought at the parsonage, but there seemed to be no records extant that would throw light on the work in Fayette county for the past twenty years, but suffice to say that the present organization is sufficient to care for the spiritual needs of this people.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The only attempt at forming a Young Men's Christian Association in Fayette county was the one at Washington C. H., in 1910, which proved a great success from its first year's history. It is steadily growing into a wonderful power for furthering the Christian and moral standards in the community where it was so wisely and thoughtfully established. The aim and objects of this association are now so well and generally understood that not even a mention of it need here be made. It may be briefly stated that the Young Men's Christian Association stands for all that is noble and good and is radically opposed to all that is evil or even questionable.
To have been the author of some noted book, or to have painted some famous picture, or cut in marble some beautiful work of art, has always given men a place in history, more lasting than any other memorial. Even so in the case of the philanthropic spirit of such men as Andrew Carnegie, the great library founder. So is it in the case of the modest, earnest little man who suggested and worked hard to effect the organization of a Young Men's Christian Association in Washington C. H. Reference is made to J. T. Tuttle, still an honored business man of the city, but who at that date was superintendent of the city public schools. He it was who caused a mass meeting to be held February 22, 1910, at Grace Methodist Episcopal church. It took several plucky attempts to effect sufficient public interest to really perfect an organization, but Mr. Tuttle knew no such word as fail, and finally won the community over to his suggestion and the beautiful and costly group of buildings held by the association now are monument enough for the man who first conceived the notion and worked intelligently for the maturing of his plans.
But someone must needs be found possessing financial ability and a spirit
243
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
of benevolence and true philanthropy sufficient to raise and bequeath to the society means with which it might secure a home of its own. Fortunately, for the present and future generations of young men in this city, such a person was found in Mrs. Morris Sharp-Davies, who was the largest single contributor, and in reality the woman who made the enterprise a possibility. She esteemed it not only a duty but a pleasure, as well, to be able to aid so worthy an institution. So the Sharp Memorial building will ever remain a monument to this good woman's offering, to be used and enjoyed with the flight of years. Two other persons should not be omitted from the list of those who have worked for the upbuilding and maintainance of this institu- tion-the careful, painstaking treasurer, George Jackson, who was instru- mental in securing the funds with which Stimpson building, of the handsome group of modern structures facing Main street, belonging now to this associa- tion was built. His name should always be connected with that of Mr. Stimpson, of California ( formerly of this city), the beneficent donor. Much of the present financial standing and future success of the association must be credited to William Worthington, whose whole energy is now being expended in the work entrusted to his care.
The statistical record made by the association so far may be briefly sum- med up as follows: Date of organization, February 27, 1910; first meet- ings held at Grace Methodist Episcopal church; offices maintained in the court house for a time. The first meeting was called by J. T. Tuttle. The first board of trustees was as follows: Henry Brownell, president; T. H. Craig, vice-president ; O. J. Mobley, secretary ; George Jackson, treasurer ; A. F. Hopkins, Dr. Carey Persinger and R. C. Peddicord.
Present officers of association (September, 1914) : President, Henry Brownell, who has served ever since the association was organized in 1910: vice-president, R. C. Peddicord; A. H. Ballard, secretary ; J. M. McClung, physical director; treasurer, J. Earl McLean; general secretary, Walter Patton. Former secretaries have been Ray F. Zaner, of York, Pennsyl- vania, and since August 1, 1914, Walter Patton, of Springfield, Ohio.
The work of the association is divided into the religious, social, educa- tional, physical and boys' departments, with membership fees as follows : Juniors (eleven to fifteen years old), four dollars ; intermediates ( from fifteen to eighteen years old), five dollars; seniors ( from eighteen and upward), six dollars. Sustaining members, ten dollars.
From June 2 to 12, 1914, a fund-raising campaign was conducted in which twenty-five thousand dollars was pledged and every pledge was good
244
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
as gold. This was conducted by William Worthington, aided by a hundred inen and boys. It is believed that there is no other record in the world where this amount was raised in so short a time in a city of the size of Washington C. H.
The building dates, etc., are as follows: The Sharp Memorial Building was deeded to the association by Mrs. M. B. Sharp, October 10, 1910. The Y. M. C. A. structure, proper, was opened June 15, 1912. Its architect was Frank Packard; its contractor was Benjamin F. Bolin, Columbus. The cost of this building was thirty thousand dollars, with ten thousand dollars addi- tional to complete and furnish. The Stimpson building was the gift of Charles M. Stimpson, of Los Angeles, California; it was built in 1913-14, at a cost of seven thousand dollars. The present membership is about four hundred and fifty, with steady additions.
CHAPTER XVII.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS OF INTEREST.
THE TEMPERANCE CRUSADE.
Washington C. H. was one of the first three localities in which real temperance crusades were inaugurated in this country, and as a result we have Woman's Christian Temperance Unions and kindred societies all over the United States today. This work was first begun by the ladies in the early seventies, and the date of the first meeting with this end in view was held here December 24, 1873. It came about in this wise: The Lecture Association of Washington C. H. had in its course that season a lecture on "Our Girls," by Dr. Dio Lewis, who in his lecture gave out some sug- gestions as to how the numerous saloons of the place might be eliminated within a week's time. His proposition was accepted and a meeting appointed for Christmas morning, at the Presbyterian church, at which a large and enthusiastic audience greeted the speaker and wished to know more of his plans to do away with the drinking places of the town. For one hour the speaker gave logical argument, followed by appeal and demonstration, until the audience was ready to endorse his plans. At that meeting was started the great American temperance wave that soon swept over the country and is still being materially effected by the good seeds there sown. Everyone knows something of the "Women's Crusade," but few outside this city know of its real origin. Women were selected to visit the saloons and plead with the proprietors to desist from selling liquor further. The men of the town were approached and committees appointed to back the scheme with money and manly influence. All who took part were "enlisted for the war"-that is, until the work had been thoroughly accomplished. William Millikan, Sr., was elected to the office of secretary of the men's committee, which was soon filled by volunteers. The men who thus served numbered thirty-seven, while the number of ladies who volunteered to go out among the liquor sellers and do the work amounted to forty-seven, and a list of these worthy ladies should here be preserved in the annals of Fayette county, as a lasting monument to
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.