USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Groveport > History of Madison Township, including Groveport and Canal Winchester, Franklin County, Ohio > Part 26
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though burdened with the multitudinous duties of such an extensive field, he still found time to give private instructions to young men desiring to prepare for the ministry. And he also wrote and published a book entitled "A Short Instruction in the Christian Re- ligion According to the Heidelburg Catechism," which he had printed at Lancaster, Ohio, in 1837. The right hand pages were in English and the left hand in German. During his ministry of nearly forty years he preached 5,144 sermons, baptized 2,940 per- sons, confirmed 1,464, performed 535 marriages, and attended 736 funerals. He organized this congrega- tion and served as pastor until declining health com- pelled him to retire in 1854. His home was in Lan- caster, Ohio, where he died March 10, 1859, aged 65 years, 8 months, 19 days. Father Weisz is remem- bered by some of our older people, in his great long overcoat, astride a large black horse, with his saddle bags, and by the fact that bad roads and swollen streams did not prevent him from meeting his appoint- ments unless they were entirely impassible.
Rev. Israel S. Weisz succeeded his father in 1855, at the age of 23 years-to 1860, when he removed to Pennsylvania. He died January 15th, 1894, at York, Pa., where he had preached for the past twenty years. His body lies in Prospect Hill Cemetery at York, Pa. Rev. James Heffly, December 19, 1860, to September 2, 1871. Rev. Heffly came directly to Winchester from Heidelberg Theological Seminary after his grad- uation and has lived in Winchester continuously since. Rev. Eli Keller, D. D., August 25, 1872, to March 30, 1874, when he removed to Zionsville, Pa., where he served the Reformed Church until March, 1901,
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Built 1830. Removed 1806.
LUTHERAN AND REFORMED CHURCH, WINCHESTER.
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when he resigned the pastorate on the account of de- clining health. 1
Rev. Silas P. Mauger after completing his studies at Heidelberg College and Theological Seminary be- came pastor April 26, 1874, and served until April 30, 1882, when he removed to Phoenixville, Penn., and for the past several years has served as pastor of the Reformed Congregation at Stone Church, Pa.
Rev. Austin Henry, September 25, 1882, to April 6, 1885, when he died at the age of 39 years 5 months and 19 days. His body was buried in Union Grove ceme- tery, but several years later, November, 1896, after the death of Mrs. Henry and their only child, Bert, his. body was removed to Tiffin, Ohio, where they lie side. by side, awaiting the resurrection of the dead.
The Winchester charge consisted of the David's, Job's, Zion's and Salem's congregations. A division of the charge had been spoken of at different times ; after the death of Rev. Henry active measures were instituted and a division into two charges effected. David's congregation was constituted one of them and Rev. L. B. C. Lahr became pastor January 1, 1886,. serving until April 1, 1890, when he removed to Hills- boro, Ohio, and later to Delaware, Ohio, where he is. pastor of the Reformed church. Rev. John L. Bretz's pastorate began June 20, 1891, and continued until September 21, 1895, when he removed to Millersberg, Ind., and where he died November 30, 1897, aged 45 years 5 months and 3 days. Rev. J. P. Stahl, the pres- ent pastor, began his pastorate on December 1, 1896.
The following is a partial list of persons who have served as elders and deacons :
Elders : Peter Brown, Samuel Loucks. Daniel Bergstresser, Samuel Deitz, Elijah Alspach, Benjamin 25 IM T
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Alspach, Reuben Bott, Jacob Bott, Geo. Loucks, Geo. F. Bareis, W. D. Beeks, Chas. Bush, W. T. Heilman, Clinton Alspach. ,
Deacons: Wm. P. Miller, Emanuel Bott, Daniel Bush, Geo. W. Sponsler, John H. Deitz, Amos Bush, Wm. Palsgrove, John M. Lehman, James A. Alspach, Henry N. Brenner, Chas. F. Dunlop, Jacob Deitz, O. P. Gayman, John H. Barnhart, Philip Weber, Wm. H. Lehman.
The following Sunday school constitution, adopted by the Lutheran and Reformed church, in Violet town- ship, on July 30, 1843, while not directly in Madison township, still reveals the methods and practices in vogue in this neighborhood in those days.
Constitution of the Sabbath School Union.
Feeling the responsibility we owe toward God and the rising generation, we form ourselves into an union and adopt the following: Section I. This union shall be called the Sabbath School Union of Job's church ; to be held in said church. Section II. This union shall consist of one superintendent, one assistant (if needed) and three directors. Section III. It shall be the duty of the superintendent to open the school by reading a chapter or part of a chapter of Scripture, singing and prayer, and give order to teachers and ask questions in general and explain, and devise plans by and with the consent of the directors or a majority of them, and to close by singing and prayer, or cause it to be done. Section IV. It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep records of all the proceedings and the number of scholars and teachers. Section V. The treasurer shall receive and keep all moneys received either by subscription or donation, and pay all orders
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presented to him, signed by a majority of the direc- tors, as far as the funds admit. Section VI. The libra- rian shall keep all books belonging to said school, take or cause to be taken to the school room every Sabbath when the school meets. Section VII. The directors' duties shall be to manage and regulate all the affairs of the school, appoint teachers, regulate the several class- es, select and purchase such books as they may think most suitable, and in case of death, resignation or other- wise of any of the officers, fill such vacancy. Section VIII. There shall be an annual election held on the first Sunday of April each year and elect such officers as specified in section II. Section IX. No person shall have a vote except he or she is a member of some Christian denomination, and sign his or her name to this constitution." The first officers were: Samuel Dress- ler, superintendent; Michael Ebright, assistant super- intendent ; Jacob Shumaker, secretary ; John N. Slife, treasurer ; H. Nicodemus, librarian, and John G. Brun- ner, Jacob Boyer and Michael Ebright, directors.
The Reformed and Lutheran people started a Sun- day school soon after their church building was occu- pied in about 1840. The Sunday schools of those days were quite different from the modern school. German primers were used in some of the classes, which at- tracted a number of the citizens-who wanted to learn the German language-to attend the Sunday school for this purpose. Some of the leading members ques- tioned the propriety of conducting the school for this purpose, and as the glass was not yet in the windows and the weather got cold, the school was discontinued. The Reformed people then attended the union Sunday school at the United Brethren church until April 16, 1865, when the Reformed and Lutheran again organ-
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ized a school with the following officers: Rev. James Heffly and Rev. George Mochel, pastors; C. Gayman, superintendent; Jacob Bott, assistant superintendent ; W. F. Armpreister, secretary ; Geo. Loucks, librarian; . Henry Howard, assistant librarian; Geo. Loucks, treasurer. The treasurer collected $52.00 with which 35 small Testaments, 24 Primers, 36 Hymn books and 44 Question books were purchased. On April 30, 1865, the secretary's report says: "14 teachers pres- ent, total attendance 134. On January 23, 1864, a meeting was held to consider the purchase of a melo- dion. Miss Hanie was then teaching music in Win- chester, and through February and March Daniel and Christian Gayman took lessons of her, practicing on Bergstresser's melodion. The melodion was put into the church on Saturday, March 19, 1864, and on the following Sunday Daniel Gayman played on it at a church service. On the following Sunday Miss Swan, also a music teacher, acted as melodionist. Of course there was opposition to its introduction, as there was to almost every other innovation. Previous to the pur- chase of the melodion Jacob Zarbaugh had for three years led the singing with a clarionet. Miss Barbara Zarbaugh (Bott) was the first regular organist (me- lodionist). After a few years the melodion was re- placed by an organ, and soon after the new church was occupied the present organ was purchased. The or- ganists since Miss Zarbaugh have been: Miss Katie Stevenson (Mrs. Rev. M. Loucks), Miss Ollie Hesser ( Mrs. Scott), Miss Ella Vought (Mrs. John A. Whit- zel), Geo. M. Herbst, Misses Lila Starr, Fannie Leh- man, Emma Schoch, Ella Loucks and Ruth Stahl. Choristers: Wm. Palsgrove, John H. Speilman, Sam- uel Foucht, Frank Brown and Wm. D. Beeks.
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January 13, 1872, a committee consisting of Rev. Geo. Mochel, Rev. James Heffly, Peter Brown, Wm. C. Speilman and Geo. Loucks was appointed to draft a new constitution for the Sunday school, and at a joint meeting on February 3 following, the same was re- ported and adopted.
Up to this time there had been but one Sunday school, one church choir, one organist, and the best of Christian fellowship prevailed. Many of the members of both congregations being Germans, they had inter- married until it was a common occurrence to find fami- lies in which the father and part of the children held membership in one church while the mother and others belonged to the other. It is a curious fact that many persons who were at an early day Lutheran are now Reformed, and that Reformed are now Lutheran.
During the pastorate of Rev. Geo. Mochel the pe- culiar doctrines of his denomination were emphasized, and then the advent of the Speilman Brothers, promi- nent and active members of the Lutheran church at Lancaster, culminated in the separation of the Sunday schools in December, 1873, when each denomination organized a Sunday school of its own.
The organization of the Reformed Sunday school took place at the parsonage, Rev. Eli Keller, D. D., being then the pastor; he lived where Elijah Alspach now lives.
The superintendents have been: Of the joint Sun- day school-Christian Gayman, Peter Brown and Moses Gayman. Since 1873: Peter Brown, Geo. F. Bareis, January 1, 1878, to January 1, 1887; Frank Brown, January 1, 1887, to September 2, 1888; Geo. B. Bolenbaugh, assistant superintendent two Sundays ;
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O. P. Gayman, September 23, 1888, to January 1, 1891 ; Geo. F. Bareis, January 1, 1891, to date.
The present enrollment of the Sunday School including the Cradle Roll and Home Department is 300.
A Missionary Society was organized May II. 1879, since which time regular meetings have been held. A Gleaner's Band, A Ladies Auxiliary Society and a Young People's Society of Christian En- deavor represent active auxiliary organizations of the congregation. The present church membership is two hundred and forty. Rev. John I. Swander, D. D., who was pastor of the Reformed church in Lan- caster in 1860-1865 relates the story that a wolf drove a woman and child out of the old Reformed church in Winchester in the sixties; the story runs that Lan- caster Classis was holding a meeting here, and while a Rev. J. G. Wolfe of Penn was preaching, a small child of Rev. Joel Alspach's began crying, which seemed to annoy him so much that he said: "I cannot preach with that child crying so, will the lady take it out ?", and as Mrs. Alspach was retiring she is said to have "glanced back to see if the Wolfe was coming."
Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Previous to 1839 Rev. Pence preached in a school house on the Zimmer farm south of Winchester; later meetings were held in the house now occupied by Mrs. McFadden, on the corner of West and Wash- ington Streets. It is not now known definitely when or where the organization of David's congregation was effected further than that in 1839 in connection with the German Reformed Congregation the brick church was erected on Washington Street.
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Among the early members were Philip Zimmer and wife, Eli, Henry, and George Zimmer, John Overholser and wife, J. B. Ernswiler, George Herbst and wife, Samuel Weller and wife, Daniel Miller, Emanuel Miller and wife, Peter Bott and wife, George Myers and wife, Jacob Schrock and wife, Henry Dellinger and wife, George Lehman and wife, Jacob Bott and wife, Henry Zangmeister, John Low and wife, Henry Eichelberger Jacob Crooks, John A. Arm- preister, Samuel Sunday, John F. Pfundt and wife, Mrs. Rebecca Bergstresser, Jacob Brenner and wife, John Myers and wife, Michael Miller and wife and others. Only two of the above list are still living, Mrs. Bergtresser and Mr. Jacob Bott, both of these are now members of the Reformed Church. For many years services were held but once a month later on each alternate Sunday.
Some of the early members say: "One Constitu- tion answered for both churches; the Lutheran mem- bers would help elect the Reformed officers and the Reformed members would vote for the Lutherans." One Sunday School, one organist and one choir worked harmoniously together. This mutual feeling continued until during the pastorates of Rev. George Mochel and Rev. James Heffy when the distinctions became more marked and finally resulted in the or- ganization of separate Sunday Schools. Both congre- gations continued to occupy the church building on Washington street until the new Lutheran Church was complete.
In March 1881 the Lutherans sold their interest in the old church building to the Reformed for $600 and at once arranged to build. ¡ A lot on the corner of Waterloo and Trine Streets was donated by Chris-
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tian Gayman but while excavating for the foundation the vats of the old tanyard were discovered, when the question was raised whether a good foundation could be secured except at a large additional cost ; finally it was decided to build on another site located on the northwest corner of Mound and Elm Streets where their handsome edifice was erected.
The church was built during the pastorate of Rev. H. J. Schuh, who preached his farewell sermon on the evening of the same day that it was dedicated. The dedicatory services took place on Sunday morn- ing November 19, 1882; the following ministers were present : Prof. Schuette, George Mochel, J. Beck and Henry J. Schuh. Rev. George Mochel preached in German and Rev. Prof. Schuette in English. The frescoeing was done in the fall of 1892.
During January 1881 Rev. H. J. Schuh preached a series of sermons on the distinctive doctrines of the · Lutheran Church. For several consecutive weeks be- ginning with the issue of the "Winchester Times" of January 26th a discussion was carried on between some one who wrote over the signature "Enquirer" and Rev. Schuh, in the issue of the "Times" of Feb- ruary 24th Rev. J. S. Mills, of Westerville, a minister in the United Brethren Church addressed an open letter to Rev. Schuh setting forth three propositions and closing as follows : "Do you hold yourself able and ready to defend these propositions by testimony of the Word of God?" The controversy thus began con- tinued from week to week and finally culminated in a public debate. The following "terms of agreement" fully explains the particulars of the discusion, "Terms of Agreement for a Public Controversy to be held between Rev. J. S. Mills of Westerville, Ohio and Rev.
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H. J. Schuh of Canal Winchester, Ohio, May 3, 4 and 5, 1881.
I. Subjects, (a.) That in the Lord's Supper the words 'This is my body' and 'this is my blood' are to be understood and taken in their literal sense. (b.) That the ordinary means of regeneration in the case of infants is Holy Baptism. (c.) That the Evan- gelical Lutheran Church is the true visible church of Christ on earth.
II. Principles of Discussion. (a.) The dispu- tants are limited to arguments that are allowed or recognized in the Holy Scriptures. (b.) The words of Holy Scripture are to be understood in their literal sense unless sufficient reasons are found in the Scrip- tures for assigning a figurative sense.
III. Time. (a.) The discussion is to take place May 3, 4, and 5. (b.) The morning meetings are to open at 9 o'clock and close at 11, the afternoon meet- ings open at 2 and close at 4, the evening meetings open at 7 and close at 9:30. (c.) The speeches are to be limited to one-half hour each. (d.) One day and evening to be spent on each proposition. (e.) The affirmative is to have the opening and closing speech on each proposition.
IV. Place. The discussion is to be held in the United Brethren Church at Canal Winchester.
V. Moderator. Rev. James Heffy. (Signed) H. J. Shurch, J. S. Mills." Rev. Schuh was on the affirmative and Rev. Mills on the negative side.
The seating capacity as well as the standing room of the church was taxed to its utmost during the sessions of this debate, and it ended as such discussions usually do; by the friends and sympathizers of each disputant claiming the victory.
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The pastors have been Revs. Pence, John Wagen- hals - who moved to Lithopolis from Lancaster Ohio in 1844 remaining there until 1848 when he again moved back to Lancaster ; he was born August 16, 1799 and died at Lancaster on September 12, 1884; Charles Wernle, J. P. Eirich, George Mochel, January 1, 1862 to March 15, 1874, Henry J. Schuh, September 27, 1874 to September 3, 1882; Dr. George H. Shodde - one year while Rev. H. J. Schuh was away on a leave of absence .- Louis H. Schuh, now President of Capital University, April 1, 1883 to February 12, 1890; and the present pastor Theo. H. E. Eich, whose pas- torate began in 1890.
In the Baptismal Record of Glick's church we find the names of Rev. M. J. Steck as early as Aug- ust 24, 1824 to June 21, 1829; Rev. John Wagenhals September 26, 1829 and at intervals as late as March 12, 1848; Rev. Pence baptized some children May 21, 1843; Rev. C. Speilman May 24, 1837 to August 4. 1839; Rev. Chas Wernle January 5, 1852 to February 21, 1857; Rev. P. Eirich February 1855 to May, 1859.
On April 7, 1871 the congregations composing this charge voted to sell their parsonage located just east of Lithopolis. Rev. George Mochel then built the present parsonage in the same season.
Previous to December 1873 beginning in the spring of 1865 the Lutheran and Reformed churches maintained a union Sunday School. On Jan. 6, 1874 a committee Rev. Mochel and Wm. Speilman repre- senting the Lutheran and Rev. Keller and Peter Brown the Reformed schools - was appointed to di- vide the property and also a debt of fourteen dollars. A separate Sunday School was then organized with John H. Speilman, Superintendent. Mr. Speilman's
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successors have been: Christian Gayman, Charles. Bachman, about ten years, and John F. Bachman the present incumbant for about ten years. The present membership of the church is about 135 and of the Sunday School about 120.
The Christian Union Church.
The Christian Union church was originated and established in Groveport in the fall of 1865 by Rev. James Fowler Given. It was when political excite- ment ran high and when the partisan spirit was in- tense that dissentions grew up, Rev. Given and others, Democrats, not being in accord with the stand taken by the Methodist Episcopal church at that time, con- cluded to form a new denomination ("The Democratic- Methodist"), which they accordingly did, conducting their services and Sunday school at the school house in Groveport. Among the ministers besides Mr. Given. were J. V. Clover and - Klick. Jacob Burgett was. superintendent of the Sunday school, and A. M. Sen- ter, Ida Smith and others teachers. John P. Given, a. son of the founder, says: "The church flourished un- til the death of its founder in August, 1867, when some of the interest was lost, and after the death of W. H. Bishop and Jacob Burgett and wife the organization. went down."
St. Mary's Catholic Church.
The St. Mary's Catholic church of Groveport was. organized in 1871, when the brick building on the cor- ner of Blacklick and Front streets was purchased from. the United Brethren people.
Michael Corbett and family, Patrick and William Corbett, Thomas Fagan and John Cavinee have been the principal supporters. There has never been a regu-
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lar pastor located here, but services were held about once a month, and were conducted by ministers from Columbus. Among these supplies have been Rev. N. A. Gallager, L. P. McKeirman, F. J. Campbell, H. An- derson and T. J. Lane.
The Mennonite Church.
Beginning about 1843 meetings were held at the residences of George Hoffman (father of Mrs. David Martin), and Abraham Lehman, who were among the first members of this society. Under date of March ·6, 1850, Mr. Hoffman deeded a lot to the congregation and a frame meeting house was soon after erected. This building was located about 200 yards east of the Hibernia road, on the north side of the Columbus and Winchester pike; services were held here regularly until the summer of 1898. On September 15, 1898, the land was sold at auction to Dr. L. W. Beery, and the building to Jones Alspach, who removed it to the west end of his residence. A new meeting house was erected on the farm of Benoni Steman, in Violet town- ship, Fairfield county, in 1890, and services are now held there. Rev. John Good was the first pastor and John Brenneman the first resident preacher. Jacob Bowman, David Martin and Noah Brenneman have been chosen from among the members as resident preachers ; the two latter serving at the present time. The following was the list of members in 1897: David and Barbara Martin (a daughter of George Hoffman), Noah and Elizabeth Brenneman, Henry and Martha Steman, Benoni and Catherine Steman, Abraham and Mary Lehman, Mrs. Elizabeth Good (a sister of Abra- ham Lehman and a daughter of Abraham Lehman, Sr.), Elizabeth Smith, Elizabeth Strohm, Mrs. Han-
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nah Beery, Lydia Steman, Martin Steman and Rachel Steman.
Union Church in Middletown.
In the "thirties" a union church was built in Mid- dletown. At first it was the intention to build it near the graveyard, and the framing timber was hauled there, when a peddler, who was stopping in town, pro- posed to give a cash contribution of ($3.00) three dol- lars if they would build it in town. Three dollars in cash was then considered an item; then the fact of a more convenient location caused a change of plans, and the building was accordingly erected on the north side of the road, about opposite the residence of Esq. Mil- ton Cummins. Various preachers held services here, as they could be secured from time to time. Later it was used as a school house. The building has long since been removed.
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CHAPTER XXVI.
SECRET AND FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.
Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed .- CICERO.
Lee Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 386.
This organization, named after Grand Master Lee, was chartered May 14, 1867, and instituted the follow- ing June by Daniel Fithian, special deputy. The first officers and charter members were: Chas. P. Rees, N. G .; John W. Griffith, V. G .; Dr. J. B. Potter, Sec- retary ; James B. Evans, Treasurer; Jesse Brandt, Robt. H. Mason and James H. Cannon. J. B. Evans is the only one of the charter members still living, being 91 years old. Meetings were held in the Bergstresser Hall until in 1868, when the lodge built the hall over the C. P. Rees store room. They fitted up and fur- nished this room and occupied it until September 15, 1883, when it was destroyed by fire. All their furni- ture, regalia, books and records were consumed.
Meetings were then held in the Grange Hall until Mr. Rees rebuilt, when his hall was rented, fitted up and occupied until December 28, 1888, when their pres- ent elegant hall was dedicated. After the store room on the northeast corner of High and Waterloo streets was consumed by fire they purchased the lot and erected the substantial business block, in the second story of which their hall is located.
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The consecutive presiding officers from the lodge's organization have been: Charles P. Kees, J. B. Pot- ter, J. W. Griffith, A. I. Crumley, Philip Game, James Heffley, J. W. Hische, Charles W. Speaks, Peter Zar- baugh, Benjamin F. Hische, Charles L. Brown, New- ton J. Wolfe, Henry H. Dibble, J. P. Arnold, John Gehm, James R. Algire, Wm. M. Game, Noah H. Hummel, Lewis W. Ringer, Herk. C. Courtright, John Chaney, Jr., James Palsgrove, Thomas Allely, Brice Taylor, Wm. Schrock, P. C. Tussing, S. C. Swonger, John F. Bauer, J. E. Smith, Peter Brown, Samuel Run- kle, Charles Epply, Irvin M. Hart, A. C. Kelley, Thos. Peer, Geo. W. Lisle, Wm. Hesser, J. A. Mathias, J. W. Dewees, John W. Hische, John A. Whitzel, Aaron Smith, Wm. H. Herbst, Geo. Williams, Adam Weber, John M. Lehman, Edw. D. Peer, H. S. Cannon, Chas. S. Smith, S. E. Heller, Edw. Colman, Wm. Williams, Frank Brenner, Edw. O. Herbst and John Pierson. Several of them have served two or more terms.
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