History of Madison County, Ohio : its people, industries and institution with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families, Part 42

Author: Bryan, Chester Edwin
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : Bowen
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Ohio > Madison County > History of Madison County, Ohio : its people, industries and institution with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 42

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The church prospered and increased in membership, until at the period of her greatest prosperity it probably numbered seventy or seventy-five members. Some forty years ago the church began to decline. However, the organization continued to be maintained until July. 1912, in which month a severe wind storm visited the county, wrecking the old church. It has never been repaired, though the old walls are still standing. At that time the membership consisted of about forty persons. This men- bership was then transferred to the West Jefferson church for the first year, and since that time has seattered. The remaining members continue to hope that they will again be assigned a pastor and then hope to erect a new building. Meanwhile irregular meetings are held when the opportunity offers itself in the school house. The Sunday school is still maintained with about twenty members, Mrs. Howard McDonald, super- intendent.

M'KENDREE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.

In March, 1852, a class was organized at the King school house by Rev. David Smith, consisting of the following members: William Stone, Elizabeth Stone, Wash- ington Morain, Nancy Morain, Eliza An Morain, Harrison Morain, Lizzie Morain, Albert Stone. Joseph Lane, Mary Lane, William Lane, Dilliann Lane, Samuel Thorn- ton. Catharine Thornton, Philip Kyle. Mary Kyle. Harriet Kyle, John Kyle, Rachel Frazier, Millie Smith, Matilda Oglesbee. Mary King. Stephen Anderson and Margaret Anderson, with William Stone as class leader. Their meetings continued to be held in the school house above mentioned for about three years, after which they purchased a house and lot; the building was a large log house, which had been erected for a dwelling, but had never been finished or occupied. The congregation finished this building and fitted it for church purposes, and used it as a house of worship until the summer of 1874. when a substantial and comfortable frame church was erected, which was occupied the same year. but was not dedieated until in October of 1879. Rev. Joseph Trimble, of Columbus, preached the dedicatory sermon, and the building in due form was set aside for the worship of God. This church is at present on the same circuit as Derby. Era and Big Plain.

TRADERSVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Tradersville, or Fletcher East, Methodist Episcopal church was organized, it is believed, at the school house in 1838. Among the first members who organized a

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class were Moses Bales, Rev. Eli Adams, Mr. Geer, Isaac Newman, Charles Rigdon. William Davidson and their wives and Edwin West and his wife, Margaret, and daughter. About 1843-44 they erected a frame church, in which services were held for many years. In 1873 another frame church was erected, at a cost of about two thousand two hundred dollars, The church at one time was numerically strong and prosperous, but in later years decreased, many moving away and others dying. Some of the first or early ministers of this church were the Revs. Eli Adams. George Boucher, Cherry, Conrey, Ellsworth. Williams, Keck, Jackson, Fiddler, Hull, Havens and Smith. Others who have served this church were J. H. Davis, R. Callaghan, Howard E. Wright, J. F. Walters, T. G. Wakefield and J. I. Tyler, In 1909 this church was on a circuit composed of itself, Wilson Chapel, Lafayette. Upper Glade and Lower Glade churches, but in that year it was dropped.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. PLAIN CITY.

The Methodist church at Plain City is the oldest one of the denomination in Madison county. It dates from 1815. when seventeen members of the church organized a class at the liome of Titus Dart. about a mile south of Plain City. Six years later (1821) the little congregation built a church a half mile south of Plain City, which was known as the Block church. This church was dedicated by Rev. Russell Bigelow. The next build- ing was erected on East Main street, in Plain City, in 1848 and dedicated in 1850 by Rev. Uriah Heath, In 1875 the third house of worship was erected, the location being on North Chillicothe street. This third church was dedicated by Dr. C. H. Payne. The present beautiful structure was completed in 1903 under the pastorate of Rev. W. A. Palmer. The dedicatory sermon was preached by J. W. Bashford, president of Ohio State University.

The list of pastors who have served this church during the century of its existence includes practically every minister who has preached in this section of Ohio. The list follows: Robert Finley. Collins, R. Finley, Hooper, Solomon, Glaze, Baker, Stewart, Alsup, Baker, W. Finley, Carr, Simmons and Davidson, Ballard and Branduth, Carnell and J. Smith, Shaw & Haven, Wood and Haley, Banahoe and Williams, Lawrence and Crabb, R. Finley and Simms, Davidson and W. Worrow, Woaley and W. Worrow, Camp and Cartney. Westlake and Kemper, Manear and S. Chase, J. B. Finley and Sutton, A. Morrow, James Brown, Owens and J. Brown, Gilruth and Havens. Parcels and J. Smith, Webster and Johnson, Sutton & Kimber, Young and Warrington, Young and Hud, Webster and J. Brown, Holtzinger and Hauffman, Gaseox and Millize, Sharp and Gilruth, Sharp and Risker, E. Chase and Muril, Muril and Loyd, Taft and Martindale, Mann and Adams, Wharton and Adams, Wharton and Miller, Sangman, Law and Slocum, Sangmas, Bennet and Granthan, West and Ferris. West and Heagler, Tippet and Heagler, Tippet and Mann, Lewis, Moore, Carrol, Prudens, Pilcher, S. Danshoe, Adams, Henley. Ferris, Sayer, Tressenrider, Rudisil, Brandnick, Rife Smith, Tilfer, Creamer. Partle. Croaks, Palmer, Evans, Smith, Priar, Wilhini, and S. A. Stephan, the present pastor.

This church since its early history has supported a Sunday school, which, in the way of a continuous record is probably the oldest Sunday school in the county. It also has a Ladies Aid Society, that has been an important factor in the continuons prosperity of the church. The Epworth League supplies the younger members of the congregation with their religious training. The other auxiliary societies are the Woman's Foreign Mission- ary Society, Woman's Home Missionary Society and the Standard Bearers. The member- ship of the church at the present time is five hundred and thirty.

PLUMWOOD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Methodist Episcopal church, of Plumwood, was organized on July 13, 1897, with the following board of trustees: William Murray, Henry Watrous, James Rutan, A. E.

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Garrett, S. K. Reece and J. W. Elkins. Among the ministers who have served the con- gregation may be mentioned 1I. E. Wright, J. E. Walter, T. E. Wakefield, J. I. Tyler, A. C. Bostnick. G. M. Hughes, E. A. Haber, J. A. Weed, A. L. Rogers and J. L. Landsittle. The church erected a frame building in Sanford at a cost of eight hundred dollars. The building stands on lot 86 on the main street of the village. The anxiliary organizations of the church include a flourishing Sunday school, Epworth League and a branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The present membership of the church is seventy-five.

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF LONDON.

The St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal church of London has its buildings, located on West Center street, on ground made sacred and hallowed by having been the previous site of the Catholic church. Its earliest meetings were held in the homes of families; that of Mrs. Sarah Jenkins, then living on the Chrisman land, being the mnost prominent. About the year 1870 the services of pastors became more regular, the interest and congregation increased and the voluntary use of halls was given for services, especially the Silver Urn Masonic hall, which was then over what is now Lanigan Brothers' store.

In the first preserved records is found the name of Rev. George Robison, a theolo- gical student of Wilberforce University, in charge. Owing to its proximity to this institution, it has been the policy of the conference to serve this point mostly from that source. Rev. George Whitfield, beginning in 1872, gave three years' service, during which the present location was purchased. The Union Sunday school in Toland hall, that had been established and fostered by such Christian spirits as I. S. Davidson, William Morgan. Giles James. Mrs. George W. Lewis nee Beir, Miss Lida Farrar and Frank Shaw, associated with Reuben Heathcock, George Black, Spradely Betts and George White and others, was succeeded by a separate Sunday school organized on December 1, 1872.

In securing the above property and in the support of the ministry too much credit can hardly be given to Edward Mumford and family, Mrs. Clarrisa White, Mrs. Eliza Nicolson and the family of Robert Jenkins, who in those early days of the church extended the hospitality of their homes to the pastors without stint or expectation of pay. During this administration the society was incorporated. About that time a very helpful factor was brought into service in the person of S. B. Norris, then and for a number of years a teacher in the public schools. Rev. Burton Lewis was the pastor in 1875, followed by E. W. Taylor in 1876 and M. R. Wilson in 1877, the latter continuing for four years, by which time the society had attained the dignity of a well-organized and fairly well-furnished mission. The year 1880 brought Rev. W. T. Artis, a strong and vigorous man, who extended his energies beyond the limits, of the immediate vicinity and established a strong and active class near Mt. Sterling, in Pleasant town- ship, in school district No. 9, thereby nearly doubling the membership. Among the standard-bearers of this class were the Lowry brothers, then prosperous farmers of that locality. With this addition, petition was made and the mission was changed to a station.

With the previous snecess a threatened calamity came, the collapse of the venerable church building, but Providence provided a man sufficient for the emergency, the Rev. Silas French. With an abundance of latent determination, a good stock of experience, and aided and encouraged by such noble hearted people as Hon. S. W. Durflinger, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Watson and other like-minded spirits, within six months the present substantial brick structure was dedicated and ready for use. Having incurred a debt, it required wisdom and activity to meet the demands, but Rev. Jesse Henderson. in

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1885, Alexander Smith, in 1886, and J. D. Singleton, 1887 to 1889, had well nigh met all obligations. In the meantime the spiritual and moralizing influence had not faltered.

In their time and turn, Hilman Hurd, Noah Hodges, Addison Tyree, William Tyler, Theopholous Cromwell, P. Q. Jenkins, Washington Boone, Frank Lowery, Elias Lowery, Miss Emma Washington, Anna Phonosdall, Maime Jenkins, Arshel Taylor, Sarah Roberts, Grace Roberts and many others to whom limited space will not permit refer- ence, stood like beaten anvils to the stroke and did what they could. From the incep- tion of the temperance cause by the women's crusade, the Murphy movement, mission work, Christian endeavor, church aid, Allen league, men's bible study, Sunday school institute and ladies' sewing circle all have had a place and received more or less attention. Rev. Isaac Williams was appointed pastor in 1889, C. H. Coleman in 1891, Joseph Stevens in 1893, J. H. Grant in 1894, George Bundy in 1895, J. W. Young in 1896, R. P. Clark in 1898, M. N. Culpher in 1900, E. L. Bell in 1903, and Benjamin Carson in 1904, the latter of whom advised and got the consent of the society to pur- chase a parsonage.

George H. Cotton came in 1906, but was soon transferred to Lockland and his place was supplied by S. H. Savage, who was followed by C. D. Young in 1907; R. B. P. Wright in 1908, J. H. Mason in 1910, S. S. Adkins in 1911, and I. H. Alston in 1912, the latter being followed in 1915 by W. W. Dawkins, the present incumbent. The trustees are Richard Taylor, Horace E. Tyree, Elias H. Lowery.

The society, at no time since its incorporation, in 1873, has been without a regu- larly appointed pastor, and its services at no time have been suspended, except for some temporary purpose. A pure Gospel in accordance with its church faith has been pro- claimed. Its Sunday school and other auxiliaries have been kept well intact. The society, thankful for the blessings of the past, hopes still to be of use for the uplift of those who may attend its services.

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF WEST JEFFERSON.

The African Methodist church of West Jefferson was organized in 1865, when the spirit of Methodism was first kindled among the colored people of that town, of whom it seems fitting to mention the names of Mary Smith, Andrew Bayless and wife, David Slago. Louisa Walker, Pereene Ricks, Mary Cooper and a few others. This class was first visited by Rev. Edward Wright, and through his efforts a few accessions were made, and the society was regularly served with a minister. The membership for the next twenty years included about twenty. The society first worshipped in private dwellings, and mostly assembled at the house of "Mother" Smith, whose door was always open and her reception warm to any who might desire to enter. The second step, by and by, was to rent a house; though very poor, it answered the purpose. and finally, in 1870, the members purchased their present property, the old academy and surrounding grounds. This building still stands, but is no longer used as a church. Of late years the society grew weak and presently discontinued services, although it still possesses the church, which is under the control of a board of trustees. Regular services have not been held for about ten years.

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH OF ROSEDALE.

About 1840 a few persons, under the leadership of John H. Surfus, caused the erection of a brick church in the west part of the village of Rosedale, then called Liverpool, in which was organized a Protestant Methodist society. The class embraced John H. Surfus and wife, I. Whitcomb and wife, some of the Williams family and a few others. This society continued as an organization but a few years, as, after the death of its principal support, Mr. Surfus, it dwindled away and the property was sold to the Catholics, who held services there for several years, after which their organiza-

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tion was removed to Mechanicsburg, since which time the building has been unoccu- pied.

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH OF NEWPORT.

The Methodist Protestant church of Newport, now known as Walnut Run, was founded in 1850, when a few persons met at the school house and, under Rev. Rameth Hussey, were organized into a class, consisting of the following persons: Presley Rains, wife, three sons and one daughter; James Jewell and wife; Elias Forbis and wife; Joseph Stroup and wife; Gideon Peck and wife; Isabel Stroup, Josie Watson, Sarah Jones, Polley Wagoner and Elizabeth Siffrit, and perhaps one or two others whose names are lost at this late date. Elias Forbis was the class leader. The society held meetings at the school house for three or four years. In 1854-55 a frame house for church purposes was erected in Newport, which was completed and dedicated to service the same year. It is believed that Rev. A. H. Trumbo preached the dedicatory sermon. This church gradually declined until it finally was discontinued.

LONDON FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHIURCII.

The First Presbyterian church of London, Ohio, was born on September 29, 1829. with twenty charter members. Rev. D. C. Allen was the first pastor. The first church building, a frame structure on the corner of Fifth and Oak streets, was erected in 1834 and 1835. On April 16, 1837, Rev. Allen resigned his charge as pastor of the church and on April 2, 1839, Rev. E. Van Derman was called as pastor, being installed the following day. His pastorate was short, as death called him in November. 1839. On November 20, 1840, Rev. R. C. McComb was called as pastor, his pastorate continuing until April, 1854. In July, 1855, Rev. C. W. Finley began his labors at London. Mid- way, Mt. Sterling, Genoa and Grove City, preaching also at several private houses in the community, making London his headquarters. On October 16, 1858, he was called and installed as pastor of the London church. The old church building having become too small to accommodate the congregation, it was decided to erect a new one. This building-the one now in use was erected during the year 1859.

Major Richard Cowling, besides contributing liberally towards the construction of the church, had the clock placed in the tower at his own expense, and by his last will and testament left a legacy of five hundred dollars for the benefit of the church. During the twenty-two years of faithful service of Reverend Finley, the church experienced a healthful and steady growth in numbers and usefulness. His faithful and abundant labors were ended on April 13, 1877, when, after a lingering illness, the Master came to him with the gracious summons; "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord," During the last two years of his life he was compelled to give up active service and by the advice of his physician was granted leave of absence for one year, during which time the Rev. A. N. Carson was employed to act as pastor.

On June 14, 1877, Rev. J. G. Patterson was called to the pastorate, which pastoral relation was dissolved on October 5. 1SS1. At a meeting of the church and congrega- tion, May 22, 1879, the trustees were authorized to purchase a lot and build a parson- age. The present commodious building was the fruit of that decision. Rev. John 1. Ewalt, who was installed pastor on April 11, 1882, resigned on October 31. 1900. making a pastorate of almost nineteen years, in which time there were nearly three hundred accessions to the church.

On February 1, 1901, Rev. R. G. Roscamp was employed as supply for one year, after which he was called as pastor and was installed May 12. During his pastorate the church was remodeled. the pipe organ was put in, and beautiful memorial windows were donated by different members of the church. This pastoral relation was dissolved on April 11, 1905. Rev. D. C. Jones was elected supply for one year in October, 1905,

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after which he was called as pastor and was installed in November, 1906. He resigned on June 28, 1908. Rev. J. A. Liggitt began his work in November, 190S, and served until March, 1915. He was followed by the present pastor, Rev. Carl H. White.

There have been employed eleven ministers since the organization of the church. The following ruling elders have been elected and ordained: John Rayburn, William McCoy, Charles Berry, William T. Davidson, Samuel Haller, William Creath, James Rayburn, William McCormack. J. H. Kennedy, R. C. Amos, Joseph Rayburn, P. W. Taylor, Maxwell Murray, B. F. Clark, John Lohr, William M. Kinney, Noah Thomas, Robert Knight, Samuel Withrow, Berthier Lohr, Fred Webster, J. W. Mackinnon, . M. Rasor, Murray Creath, Filmore Jackson, Robert Adams, Harry Armstrong, R. K. Shaw, James Bell and C. C. Hankinson.

This congregation looks back on a splendid record; nearly eighty-five years of continuous service, years that speak of God's faithfulness and man's loyalty. The present membership of the church is three hundred and seventy-five. The Sunday school, C. C. Hankinson, superintendent, has four hundred and ten members enrolled. in which is the "busy men's" Bible class, enrolling one hundred and twenty members. with R. K. Shaw as teacher and the "Golden Rule" Bible class of seventy women, with James F. Bell, teacher. The board of trustees of the church consists of John Lohr, Walter Engard, H. W. Robinson and R. K. Shaw, the latter of whom is financial secretary ; George H. Van Wagener, treasurer; Walter Engard, president of the Chris- tian Endeavor society, and Mrs. John R. Tanner, president of the "Wimodaughsis" society.

PLAIN CITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Presbyterian church of Plain City appears to have been the first church organized in Madison county. Joshua Ewing and his family, James, his brother, Betsey, his sister, and their aged mother emigrated from Kentucky to Darby township in 1798 and settled a short distance northwest of the present site of Plain City. Archibald Steele. a synodical missionary of the Presbyterian church, hearing of the Ewing settlement. on the bank of Big Darby creek, went there and in 1800. in the cabin of Joshua Ewing, organized the First Presbyterian church in Madison county. if not the first church in Madison county, Joshua Ewing and Samuel Kirkpatrick being elected the first elders of the congregation. Very few families had then settled in the neighborhood and the membership of the church included the most of these. The people lived far apart and had no pastor nor stated supply. Samuel Kirkpatrick lived about eight miles to the north of the Ewing cabin and soon after such families as the Carys, the Mitchells, the Sagers, the Robinsons and others came and settled nearby. The old Ewing settlement had became known as Liberty and the church there was early known as the Liberty Presbyterian church. In the latter part of 1807 or early in 180S, a church was organized at the Kirkpatrick settlement, as a branch of the Liberty church, and Samuel Kirkpatrick transferred his eldership there and became its leader. To distinguish these churches they were designated, respectively, as the Lower Liberty and Upper Liberty churches. Rev. Samuel Wood was the first pastor. On the tombstone marking his grave appears the following inscription: "Rev. Samuel Wood, first pastor of the Presbyterian church of Upper and Lower Liberty. was installed pastor in this church June 15, 1808, and died April 27, 1815, in the thirty- sixth year of his age." Mr. Wood was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. January 15, 1779, and was a graduate of Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

The Upper Liberty church was situated on the north side of Big Darby creek about two miles from Milford Center. The church building was erected in 1809, and was the first house of worship to be erected in Union county. It stood on the line dividing the farms of Rev. Samuel Wood and Elder Samuel Reed, between the road and the

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old graveyard. It was a plain, primitive building of hewed logs, twenty-four feet square. All the materials and labor were supplied by the membership. It was not necessary to consult an architect and get up plans and specifications and give out the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, and then, when dedication day came, report a few thousand dollars as a debt to be removed before the Lord could get the building. This primitive building, however, was for many years without the means of heating; the people, therefore, meeting during the winter in school houses and private dwellings. The building was very plain internally; slabs, with rude legs, being used as seats. Tradition has it that two or three families, in process of time, became so aristocratic as to construct backs to their pews, thus showing that at an early date invidious dis- tinctions intruded themselves into a church. About 1822-23 an addition of eighteen feet was made to oue side of the old church and the building was used until 1834, at which time a brick structure was erected at Milford Center, and the congregation removed there.

As has been pointed out, Upper Liberty was organized as a branch of the Lower Liberty church. Rev. Samuel Wood remained the pastor until his death, in 1815. From that date, Revs. William Dickey, Archibald Steele, James Hodge, D. D., Elder Hughes aud others supplied the church nntil 1821, when Rev. James Robinson was installed as pastor. He served the church seven years. Rev. Darius C. Allen was stated supply from 1829 to 1831. The year following Rev. Benjamin Dolbear became the pastor and continued his labors with this charge until about 183S. In 1837 Lower Liberty was reut in twain by the internal dissensions then troubling Presbyterians. The two branches were nearly equally divided, but a slight majority favored the "Old School" branch, Reverend Dolbear remaining with this latter division. His successor, Rev. William Galbreath, was installed on October 7. 1839, and served until April 18, 1848. Rev. Benjamin Evans was the next and last pastor of this branch, In the "New School" division, Rev. Henry Shedd was the only settled pastor, but Reverend Kuhn, Reverend Ulfeld and others acted from time to time as supplies.

Among the earliest prominent members of this church mention must be made of James Ewing, Joshua Ewing. David Mitchell, Jr .. David Chapman and John Taylor. The early services were held in private homes; then in the school house, which stood on the lot where the first meeting house was erected. This primitive church stood on four acres douated by Walter Dun, and was situated about a mile northeast of Plain City, in the fork of the Post pike and the road leading northeast to Big Darby. The building was erected as early as 1820, perhaps sooner. It was a large, nnfinished frame structure; weather-boarded, but not plastered; roofed, but without a chimney. The seats were only slabs supported by rough sticks. There was a broad center aisle, at each end of which a door was originally designed but never inserted. The women occupied one side of this room; the men held undisputed possession of the other.

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History of Madison County, Ohio : its people, industries and institution with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families, Part 42

Author: Bryan, Chester Edwin Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : Bowen Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Bryan, Chester Edwin
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : Bowen
Number of Pages: 1150