USA > Ohio > Logan County > History of Logan County and Ohio > Part 78
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 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126
temple in West Liberty in 1830. The ground was purchased of Thomas P. Miller, and thereon they built a church commensurate with their means and the enterprise of that day. It stands to-day on Baird street and is occu- pied hy E. Myers as a residence, The first preacher was the Rev. Mr. Findlay, and the heroic little congregation of thirty souls wielded a power for good. Among the original members there were Dr. John Ord- way, Thomas P. Miller, Rev. John B. Ma- gruder, John Williams, James McDonald, Maria Hawkins. At that time, and since, this was a two-weeks circuit, and the residence of the then active, now venerable Doctor Ordway, was the chief resort for the ministers. The Doctor and his good wife always had the latch-string hanging out, and at their cheer- ful fireside and generous table these ministers were always delighted to assemble. The Doctor has all through these long years closely allied himself with the Methodist Church, and has been, and is now-although his hair is whitened with the frosts of age-one of the strongest pillars, Ilis example through life is one which our young men would do well to emulate, if they hope to gain a crown similar to that laid up for him. When he is called up higher his work will be left as a monu- ment of his unselfish, Christian devotion to the church and his God, and thereon will be inscribed: " He has not lived in vain."
In 1849 this congregation built a more stately house of worship, which they have ve- enpied ever since. The membership numbers about 110. The present minister is the Rev. Arkinson Perry, a godly man, full of love for his work, and interest in the salvation of many souls. He is a practical man in every sense, an able, argumentative expounder of the gospel, and is highly esteemed for his many good qual- ities, social and religious. The Methodist Sun- day school has a membership of about 150, ex-
The Methodist Society erected the first , clusive of teachers, and is in good working
2
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
557
order, with a Mr. John M. Hunter, a stirring Su- perintendent, at the helm, assisted by an able corps of teachers.
The circumstances which led to the organi- zation of the Presbyterian Church of West Liberty are many, though not different in their nature from those which have attended similar organizations in other places.
The first organized body of professing Christians was that known as the Christian Church. Their numbers were considerable, embracing a large portion of the inhabitants of West Liberty. The same class of people were found in considerable numbers in vari- ous parts of the surrounding country. The next organized religious society was that of the Methodist-being organized in 1830.
Up to this time but little was done by the Presbyterians to establish themselves as a church here.
The Rev. Joseph Stevenson, who came into Logan county from Pennsylvania at an early day, seems to have been the first Presbyter- ian minister who located himself in the coun- ty. Mr. Stevenson organized the First Pres- byterian Church in Bellefontaine in 1829, which he served as Pastor faithfully and ef- ficiently until the time of his death, which oc- curred in February, 1865. In the absence of any organized Presbyterian Church-except a feeble one at Cherokee, now the Huntsville church, which seems at some time 'previous to have been organized by an itinerant min- ister-Mr. Stevenson labored in various des- titute places in this and adjoining counties, and that with no inconsiderable degree of sur- cess. West Liberty was made a point to which he directed a part of his labors. For a length of time he continued his labors at stated in- tervals-preaching in the house of a friend in the immediate vicinity of this village.
In time, the avenue opened for the organi- zation of a church in Bellefontaine, of which we have spoken, and also at Stony Creek,
now Spring Hills, and the work of Mr. Stevenson became concentrated upon these two places, in connection with the Cherokee Church. After this Mr. Stevenson gave but little of his time to West Liberty.
During the years 1830-31, the Rev. Mr. Garland, a minister from New England, labored in this place the one-half of his time, during six months or a year. The prospects for a church at that time, however, were not very flattering.
A minister named Peregrine, of Welsh descent, also labored in West Liberty a por- tion of his time, for six months, or a year, during the years 1836-3;, but without much marked suecess.
This, as late as the autumn of 1840, appears to have been the amount of labor performed on the part of the Presbyterians here, except as a sermon was occasionally preached by a passing minister.
One fact should here be noted. Previous to the fall of 1840, Presbyterian families had resided in this place, but some had removed, owing, in part at least, to the fact that there was no Presbyterian church here, and with a desire of locating themselves in a place where they could enjoy the means of grace in a church of their own connection. Some individuals-members of the Presbyterian Church-feehng it a duty to be in connection with some branch of the visible Church of Christ, had united with the Methodists; others, however, few in number, remained anxiously waiting and desiring the time when a Presby- terian church should be organized in the town, and it is a fact eminently worthy of note (with few exceptions), they were pious and devoted females.
There is another circumstance worth remem- bering, as having been linked with the organi- zation of a society in West Liberty. For years there had been much solicitude on the part of some of the friends of Christ in neighboring
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
. 15
charles for the organization of a church in this place, and to the influence of these, in on small degree, must be atu buted the putting in train some of those causes which preceded, and eventually led to, the establishing of this church. This is only the means, for man is at Vost but the instrument in the hand of God in accomplishing Ilis work. Tis God alone who can turn the hearts of sinful man, and bu ld up Ils kingdom and establish it in the word.
In the autumn of ISJO Robert H. Holly- day, a livectiate then under the care of the Presbytery of Chillicothe, through the influ- one of Rev. Josoph Et venson, came into this reg'en. and labored the one-half of his time for the coming winter in the first church in Bell .fontaine, then under the pastoral charge of' Mr. Stevenson; part of his remaining time was spent in West Liberty, where he preached ofer cach alternate Sabbath.
During this time many encouraging indica- tions of success were discovered. After the Ist of May. Fall, the labers of Mr. Hollyday were divided between West Liberty and Stony Creek one -half to each place.
About this time it was considered desirable that some special effort should be made to "f " the way, if possible, for the organization of a dmuch 1.
The moonis death of June following was ;ownted as the time for holding a commun- coon a series of meetings to precede that - nice. As it was necessary to have the aries of art onlined minister, the services HER Bs. H. R. Proc. of Duck Creek, wire
Graf ting non the labors of les servants porthat copy, the mer ing proved to be Thiệu hont those Thing i had mig and drop feeling
sinh Il through il . es-
of that church receiving the members, and aiding in the distribution of the elements of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
The following persons were received as members of the Stony Creek Church until a «Imreh should be organized here, viz .: Har- riet Reynolds, John M. Glover, Labella Gilux- er, Clarissa Stewart, Nancy Jane Kirkwood, Caroline Kirkwood. Laura Beebe, Evo Eliza Runkle, Sarah Chapman, Sarah Miller, Jane Hildebrand. Dorothy Seeres:, Rachel E Lott, John W. Ingram. Caroline Ingram, Jane MeClay, Maria White, Samuel Taylor and Aaron Mitchell.
The way seemed now to be open for the organization of a church. With a view to this, a meeting for prayer and consultation was held, and it was agreed by the members present immediately to send up a request to the Presbytery of Sidney to be regularly or- ganized into a church, to be known and des- ignated as " The First Presbyterian Church of West Liberty." The request being laid before the Presbytery, at their meeting in Sidney, on the list of June, was taken into consideration by the Presbytery, and the re- quest was granted.
The Presbytery appointed Bey. Joseph Stevenson and Rey. John A. Mocks a com- midre to org, nize the church if the way he char. Friday Before the first Sabbath of September, IsIL, was appointed as the time for the organization to take place.
To members who were to compose this in- fint church, this was a time of deep mit j- ist, and one, the arrival of which had long been desired.
On the day appointed, the committee of the Prosaly were on the grounds. In dd- dition to those persons who were received at the communion in June, the fall wing per- Suis reported themselves and gave evidence of ther member. hip in the church, viz .: 1 b lla MeBih, Will am Kukword, Mes.
1
-
550
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
Kirkwood, Marquis Wood, Mary Ann Wood, Jane Morris, Margaret Andrews and Henry Secrest.
These persons-twenty-seven in all-were by the Presbytery, through its committee, organized into a church, to be called the "West Liberty Presbyterian Church."
John M. Glover and Marquis Wood were unanimously elected Ruling Elders, and were regularly ordained and set apart to this office an l installed over this church.
Thus was accomplished what many of the friends of Christ in neighboring churches do- sired to see, and for which the few members of the Presbyterian Church in this place had long wished andI prayed.
This, as will be seen, the church was or- ganized under very favorable circumstances. Twenty- seven Christian men and women united with a purpose to pray and labor for the extension of Christ's kingdom, was no incon- siderable force. The result of the organiza- tion soon began to show itself in the increased zeal of the members, and in the conversion of sinners, plainly indicating that the Lord owned, and would bless the labors of His people. All this was regarded as earnests of future rich and abundant blessings. Of the twenty-seven persons constituting the church at its organization, eleven have died; thirteen have been dismissed, leaving three of the original members still remaining.
From the very organization of this church here, Rov. Robert II. Hollyday preached every alternate Sunday up to the 18th day of November, 1841, when he was regularly or- dained and installed as pastor, for one-half of his time.
Being without a house of worship of their own, through the Christian courtesy of the I.rethren of the Methodist Church, the con- gregation met in the little brick Methodist Church (now owned as a residence by E. My- ers). After the lapse of a few months, it was
deemed best to procure a place of meeting of their own, when Thomas P. Millertendered the use of the old stone distillery, situated in the southern extremity of the town oppo- site the flouring mills, and the lower room of this structure was fitted up and opened for preaching in January, 1842. April 22, 1842, Mr. Hollyday resigned his pastoral charge, and to this, it is said, is to be attributed the small increase in 1842 -- but three persons were added to the membership. From April, 1842, to April, 1843, the church had no pastor, dur- ing which time, one member was lost by re- moval to the hounds of other churches.
In April, 1843, Rev. Milton A. Hlaeket, was called to the pastoral charge, and on July 6 of that year he was ordained and installed pastor for two-thirds of his time. During that year twenty-three persons were added to the church. In 1844 twelve persons were added to the church.
On November 12, 1844. the Presbytery of Sidney met in West Liberty and dissolved the pastoral relation of Rev. Mr. Ilackett and the church; this was another reverse. Mr. Ilack- ett was held in high estimation by the con- gregation. Ile served one year and eight months.
In 1845 the congregation resolved to, and did, erect a temple of worship, and opened it in November, 1845. This year the church had no regular Pastor, but seven new mem- bers were added.
In 1846 Rov. James II. Gill, a licontiate of the Presbytery of Maine, visited the church and was afterward called to the pastorate of the church, and on the 14th of June following he was ordained and installed pastor for one- half of his time. Nine members were added this year. In 1847 eight members were added. In 1848 eleven persons were added. In 1849 ten new members were added. In 1850 twelve new additions were made to the church. In 1851 the church membership was increased
A
560
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
by twenty accessions. 1852 notes thirteen additions.
On the 24th day of Inty, 1853, the Presby- tery dissolved the pastoral relation of Mr. Gill at his own request, he having served seven and a half years. By this time the congregation had grown in numbers and in- creased in influence.
From July, 1853, to the spring of 1854, the congregation was without a regular pastor. In April. 1854, Rev. William Perkins was en- gaged as stated supply, and continued his work until October, 1851. In 1853 fifteen were added, and in 1851 ten were taken in. The church suffered greatly during this period from emigration.
From October, 1854, to May, 1855, the church was again destitute of a regular min- ister, at which time the Rev. L. I. Drake, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Cincinnati, visited the church, at the repeated invitations of the church session, and in May. 1855, he came. and, having spent one Sabbath. consent- ed to return and hold a series of meetings. The session invited to be present during these meetings Rev. Il. R. Price, of the Buck Crook church. During these meetings Rev. Mr. Price and Mr. Drake preached alternately, Mr. Price administering the sacrament on Sabbath, and Mr. Drake preaching in the Methodist Episcopal Church on that day, by invitation, the pulpit being vacant.
On Monday following, June 18, 1855, at a meeting of the congregation moderated by Rev. H. R. Price, a unanimous call was made for the pastoral labors of Mr. Drake, and on the second Sabbath of July following he on- tored upon his pastoral work. On the 30th day of November, Jan, the Presbytery of Sidney met in this church, and, according to previous arrangement, ordained and installed Mr. Drake over this congregation.
The church has made rapid progress under the zealous labors of Mr. Drake, who is the
present Pastor, having ministered to his people over a period of twenty-five years.
It will be observed from this resume of the history of this church, that the whole number received into the communion of the church since its organization in September, 1841, is 445 ; this in the face of the difficulties which grew ont of the unsettled state of many who became members, partaking of the spirit which induced many to seek homes in the West. Mr. Drake has served his people faith- fully and ably, and for his reward he says : "I shall count it my highest reward if, when from flower-strewn graves and quiet resting places, all who have mingled in these holy labors shall rise and stand before the Great White Throne, I shall be permitted to enter the Pearly Gates and thread the golden streets of the New Jerusalem."
The first religious exercises conducted by a Lutheran minister in West Liberty were held about the year 1816. At the request of a few families who were members of that church, Rov. J. G. Harris, of Bellefontaine, preached for them occasionally, at the same time doing missionary work, preparatory to the organization of a Society. Many of these services were held in private houses, but the faithful few clung so zealously to the church of their fathers that they were willing to bear with almost any inconvenience rather than be deprived of their own preaching. The results of the work of Mr. Harris were such as to give the little band some assur- ance that, by clinging together, they might be able in the near future to effeet an organ- ization. Mr. Harris having been called away from Bellefontaine, Rev. J. Brickley, his successor there, continued the work which was begun, giving as much time to the West Liberty people as he could spare from his work at home. Mr. Brickley was much be- loved by the church, but his death occurred just at the period when it might have been
561
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
practicable for him to give the Society the as- surance of permanency.
His successor at Bellefontaine, Rev. J. W. Goodlin, preached occasionally for them until some time during the year 1856, when, chiefly through the efforts and zeal of Mrs. E. N. Fisher and Mrs. Dr. Leonard, they succeeded in getting Rev. N. B. Little to preach for them with a view of becoming their regular pastor. The first permanent organization was effected by Mr. Little on the 11th day of April, 1851. Forty-eight members were duly received and celebrated the Lord's Supper on that occasion. It was a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving-a day for which many of them had often prayed | and had anxiously awaited. The following constituted the first Church Council: Elders, , Jacob Ziegler and Stephen Packer; Deacons, Peter Bowman and Charles Moots. Of the forty-eight who organized the church only six are now members. Nearly all the rest have passed away and are now, we trust, members of the church triumphant.
Through the kindness of the officers of the "Christian " Church, the first regular services were held in their building. Shortly after the organization, however, regular services were held by the "Christians " in their own house, and the Lutherans were compelled to find a place of worship elsewhere. A hall on Main street, owned by Mrs. Roberts, was rented, and here they first organized a Sab- bath school, with M. J. Royer as superintend- ent. The next removal was to an upper room on Baird street. These were dark days for the church, yet many precious meetings were enjoyed under circumstances which lacked almost all the comforts and conveniences which now seem necessary for church worship. Prayer meetings were held at the houses of dif- ferent members, and the hopes of those faithful hearts were constantly strengthened by these delightful seasons of consecration and prayer.
The greatest trouble of all was in regard to a church building. Late in the fall of 185% a meeting was called for the purpose of dis- cussing what steps should be taken in regard to the future. It was either disband, buy or build. The latter was decided upon, and a building committee consisting of the follow- ing persons were appointed: Thomas Piper, Charles Moots, David Ziegler, M. J. Royer, P. Bowman, Jr., and Jacob Ziegler. It was a great undertaking, for there were not a dozen male members in the church, and most of these were in very limited circumstances. Yet, with stout hearts and unwavering faith, they went to work, and the following summer was laid the corner-stone of what is now by far the finest church edifice in West Liberty.
Few churches are built under circumstances as trying as this one was, but all worked and gave cheerfully and liberally, and the result of their labors is a striking testimony of their devotion and self-sacrifice. Then, too, -most of the work was carried on without the aid of a regular Pastor. Rev. N. B. Little left the charge during the year 1858. The church enjoyed a very reasonable degree of prosper- ity under his administration. Many new members were added from time to time, and the organization and project for building were both effected through his efforts.
Owing to the great money panic and fail- ure of crops throughout the State and coun- try, the new church building was not dedi- cated to divine service until the 18th day of March, 1860. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. F. W. Conrad, of Dayton, Ohio, by whom also the services were con- dueted, assisted by Dr. Sprecher, president of Wittemberg College. A call was then extended Rev. C. A. Gelwicks, who im- mediately assumed the duties of pastor. Mr. Gelwicks remained in charge for two years when he left to labor elsewhere and the church was again without regular preaching.
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
In the stammer of 1853, Rev. A. R. How- bert, who resiled at Bellefontaine, took theage of the congregation and continued to rve them for the period of thirteen years.
Two other churches known as Prank's Church and Jerusalem Church, were also saved by him and these two with West Liberty were then made to constitute one charge. A good degree of prosperity attended the efforts of Mr. Howbert and the Church was only beginning to enjoy relief from the bueden and expense of building. when a storin Hew off' part of the roof and threw one end over int , th > church, making ruins of that which, lit- tle by little, Fal risen through the untiring efforts and sacrifices of faithful hearts. This occurred on th . 29th day of April, 1865.
The following nete ly the secretary appears on the churchrecords: "During the prevalence of a violent storm, a whirlwind struck the northwest corner of our church building and. te aring away nearly half th . roof, crushed in the g. ble end of the building, which carried every- thing with it into the brisem nt, smashing pul- pit. platform. furniture, all the front pews, with 1. If the ceiling, and nearly half the floor, also cracking the corners and while west end of the brick wall. The damage estimated is from two to three the sand dollars. As the congregation is very weak, and only now «leming up the old debt on the chunch by carrying stock in the building association, the misfort me seems an exceedingly heavy one for us to sustain, but we hope, through the mercies of a Providence that has never failed n- in time of ned, to rebuild at once."
A congregational meeting was called, and a conditt . comiding of Ros. A. R. Howlit, Sal Tarle (of Prelaterin Church), and Dr. 1. 31. Tomes fot Metho list Bi copil Chung wasposted to solicit su sera- Wie Lifeny and rat of the charel re- patinaden Sabbath morning.
December 19, 1875, Rev. M. W. Hamma, assisted by Prof. J. Il. W. Stuckenberg, re-dedicated the church to the worship of Ciod.
In the summer of 18;6, the Church Council. acting upon the advice of their Pastor, Rev. A. R. Howbert, signed a petition written by him to the other churches, and to the Synod, asking that this church be released, and be permitted to constitute a separate charge. with power to select and call a pastor. The petition was granted, Mr. Howbert with- drawing from the pastoral duties of the West Liberty Church. Mr. Howbert did gool work in behalf of this congregation. Ile was with it, and stood by it in some of its darkest days, and labored with untiring zeal, to repair the building, after it had been crushed by the storm.
On the first day of June, IST, Rev. J. M. Cromer entered upon the duties of Pastor. ITis labors as such extended over the period of one year, and as a result many of the young from the families of the church and others were added to its membership.
On the first Sabbath of June, ISIS, Rov. E. K. Boll, of the Wittenberg Theological Sem- inary, preached as a supply and continued as such until June 1, 1829, when he was unani- mously elected Pastor. During the past year thirteen persons have united with the church, increasing the present membership to ninety. which is the highest it has ever attained. A now organ was purchased as well as chan- dehors and pulpit lamps, and at the close of the year the Pastor's salary was all paid as well as every other local indebtedness of the church. With a spirit of consecration perva- ding the members and the same spirit of self- sacrifice which has always characterized this church, there seems to be no good reason why it's future should not be a bright and prosper- was one. The prosent church ex uneil consiste of the following pers n -: E. K. Bell (Pastor),
1
563
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
President; D. M. Ziegler, M. J. Rover, Cyrus Ziegler and Robert Parks, E.ders; 1. B. Sing, J. A. Boyer, Paul S. Davis and Ira Kirkwood, Deacons; John Sutphin, M. J. Rover and Charles F. Fox, Trustees; A. B. Sieg, Srere- tary; and D. M. Ziegler, Treasurer.
The first school was taught here prior to the laying out of the town, by John AAskins and Doctor Herrin. The education of the children in the early history of our pioneers was not looked upon with the same degree of importance as now. Then, the highest am- bition of the scholar was to learn how to real, write, and cipher-three very important factors in education. The student, however, was
"-Never taught to stray, Far as the solar walk or milky way."
The desires of his mind then scarcely arose above the irrational creation. His anxieties were limited to the mere knowledge of ordi- uary montal acquirements, and to provide against the ravages of coll and hunger was the very acme of his hopes and aspirations. He was not taught then, as now, that it is educa- tion that brings up the pearl from its hidden depthis in the wild, chaotic ocean of untutored thought, and reveals to the daylight and to the wrapt gaze of the admirer, its beauties. Ile was not taught then, as now, that it bursts open its rocky encasement and jets forth the imprisoned brilliancy of the mental diamond upon the workl. The pioneer scholar did not know that it was education that would draw forth latent energies, which would lie alormant forever without its arousing and stimulating power; that it raises up the noble purposes of the soul to a higher standard of elevation, and trains every sprouting and ex- panding branch of thought with vigilant eare, and in an appropriate direction, as the skill- ful gardener trains the tendrils of the vine. The truth of these assertions stand out in
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.